Whether it’s a song, a style, an idiom or an image, will render it with mastery, power, nuance and an unerring grasp of its essence. Born Michael John Robillard on October 4, 1948, in Woonsocket, R.I., Duke has carved out one of ’ most illustrious legacies, while also trodding some lofty related territories as a , vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, studio sideman, producer, label operator and educator. After showing an early affinity for music and , he founded with pianist in Westerly, R.I., in 1967. By adding horns, Roomful announced itself emphatically as the prototypical , and became a New England legend and a fixture beyond, as did Duke himself. His unsurpassed mastery of the guitar style of T-Bone Walker (later crystallized memorably in his 2004 release “Blue Mood”) was deservedly heralded, but his breadth was also head-turning — from swing, standards and ballads to rockers, gutbucket blues and . By the time Duke left Roomful after a dozen years, he was firmly established in the upper echelon of contemporary blues . Duke went from Roomful to a stint with rockabilly revivalist Robert Gordon and then to the first iteration of , composed primarily of then-recent sidemen. The Duke Robillard Band debuted in 1981, re-emerging as The Pleasure Kings with their eponymous 1984 on Rounder. It and its sequel, “Too Hot To Handle,” burnished Duke’s songwriting portfolio; the 1987 outing “Swing” (with saxophonist Scott Hamilton) underscored his versatility and remains a highlight. Continuing his solo career, Duke replaced with The Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1990. He cut his own much-awaited straight blues album “Duke’s Blues” in 1993 for Canadian imprint Stony Plain, leading eventually to a rewarding, continuing and prolific alliance, along with releases during the ensuing years on Point Blank/Virgin and Shanachie, as well as instructional videos. He has also launched his own labels with Jesse Finkelstein, Blue Duchess/Shining Stone. Duke's prolificity has included producing by , , , and Jay McShann, Zuzu Bollin, Billy Price and Otis Clay, Sunny Crownover, Bryan Lee and Al Basile as well as recording two collaborations with Herb Ellis, a pairing with his successor in Roomful, , a seat in the New Guitar Summit with J. Geils and , additional studio credits with (the well-regarded 1997 “Time Out Of Mind”), Ruth Brown, Johnny Adams, , , Al Copley, and Tony Z, and touring with Tom Waits in 2006. Duke’s resume is decorated with Grammy nominations, Handy Awards and Blues Music Awards, and other honors for his artistry, recordings and productions within the and internationally. On his latest release, Ear Worms CD, release May 2019 Produced by Robillard and recorded at Lakewest Recording and Duke’s Mood Room, Ear Worms features Duke (, vocal) and his long-time band: Bruce Bears (, ); Brad Hallen (acoustic and electric bass); and Mark Teixeira (drums). Both Bears and Teixeira also sing lead vocal on one track each. Joining them on the sessions, besides some stellar additional are several special guest vocalists: Chris Cote, Sunny Crownover, Mark Cutler, Julie Grant, Dave Howard, Klem Klimek and Brian Templeton.

“Ear Worms was conceived as an album of songs that I heard and was attracted to growing up,” says Duke Robillard about the new disc’s genesis. “They are not of one particular genre or style, but rather songs I heard in my pre-teens to my later teens.

Duke remains based in Rhode Island and a whirlwind as a , producer, gardener and photographer. But wait, there’s more: he’s now creating fine art abstract paintings, too! At this point for Duke, versatility and mastery should come as anything but a surprise; it just means more richness in a superlative career for us to celebrate. by Dick Shurman - Noted blues historian and producer "One of the great players" BB King “Robillard is a soloist of stunning force and originality.” the New York Times

“Most everything Duke Robillard has done as a guitarist during the past four-plus decades...bears witness to his musical intelligence and his dedication to his craft”. - Downbeat

“Robillard’s ability to play across the spectrum of blues is legendary. Few players can move stylistically from Texas to Kansas City to Chicago’s West Side, but Robillard makes it seem easy.”- Guitar Player

“A guitarist’s guitarist, prolific producer, and master of all things blues, Duke Robillard walks the tightrope between traditionalism and experimentation...He’s a master of many styles who moves forward while maintaining a firm grounding in the past.” - Blues Revue

GRAMMY Nominations for Best Traditional Blues Album for 2010 Stomp! The Blues Tonight and 2006 Guitar Groove-a-Rama

The Blues Music Awards (formerly W.C.Handy Awards) have named Duke Robillard "Best Blues Guitarist" four years out of five (2000,2001,2003,2004) making him the second most honored guitarist for that award! He was also nominated in that category in 2005, 2007 and 2008