“The blues has been around for a long time, and it will remain relevant as long as people appreciate genuine heartfelt playing, which we try to bring to every performance.”

Roomful of Blues: Steppin’ Out!

With the new album, Steppin’ Out!, Roomful of Blues introduces the soulful, emotive, full-throated vocalist D.D. Bastos. With D.D., the band is celebrating an historic milestone. For the first time in their history, Roomful of Blues have recorded an album featuring a female vocalist. Bastos brings fresh, dynamic energy, passionately singing each song as if she’s lived them all, all the while honoring Roomful’s rich traditions and signature “little big-band” sound. Produced by Chris Vachon, Steppin’ Out! (Release Day: October 10th, 2025 / Alligator Records) features 14 rollicking, house-rocking performances. Bastos’ and the musicians’ emotional connection to the material is palpable from the first note to the last. The current lineup of Roomful of Blues features guitarist and bandleader Chris Vachon, who first joined in 1990 and has been leading the group since 1998. The band has maintained its instantly identifiable sound through great musicianship and a stellar horn section—featuring tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille, who first joined in 1970. Lataille’s masterful playing can evoke either the fat-toned, honking sax of the glory days of early rock or the cool elegance of big band swing jazz. Along with Vachon, Lataille, and lead vocalist D.D. Bastos, Roomful of Blues features the talents of keyboardist Jeff Ceasrine, bassist John Turner, drummer Mike Coffey, baritone and tenor saxplayer Craig Thomas and trumpeter Christopher Pratt.

(Roomful of Blues / Photo by Michael Sparks Keegan)

Rich Lataille joined Roomful in 1970, where he formed and helpedcreate the trademark Roomful of Blues horn section. Lataille is a manwho can play both sides of the fence—lyrically tender or blisteringly hot. He has a big, warm tone that is always packed with feeling. His melodicinventiveness reflects the depth and breadth of his wide-ranginginfluences, including Lester Young, Johnny Hodges and GeneAmmons. Rich worked with various local and high school bands beforebeginning his long-term relationship with Roomful.

Interview by Michael Limnios                     Archive: Rich Lataille, 2020 Interview

Special Thanks: Rich Lataille & Marc Lipkin (Alligator Records)

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

Over the years I've had the opportunity to play with a diverse number of musicians, and to play a variety of styles, blues, jazz, soul etc. and that has helped to keep me interested and to expand my musical horizons. I am an avid listener to all the greats of blues and Jazz, and that has been the core of my musical education.

Currently you’ve one release with female singer. How did that idea come about? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album “Steppin’ Out”?

When our last singer Phil (Pemberton) had some serious health issues, we had to find someone quickly, and we thought it might be a good idea to try something different, why not a female vocalist? We were already familiar with DD's work, and she has done a great job. We had a history of working with woman singers from time to time. Lou Ann Barton was briefly in the band around 1980, and we recorded  and toured with Pat Benatar in the early 1990's. We had to come up with pretty much a whole new repertoire in a short period of time, and while it was sometimes stressful, it also energized the band.

Why do you think that Alligator Records legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?

Alligator has been around almost as long as Roomful, and the fact they are still around producing blues albums is nothing short of astounding. Blues has never been a financial boon in the best of times, and now it surely must be a challenge to keep it going. It speaks to Bruces love of the music that he does keep it going, and I think blues fans appreciate that.

“The blues is the foundation for pretty much all American music styles. You can evoke all kinds of emotions and feeling. There's happy blues, sad blues, joyful blues, angry blues. All of our experiences are there in the music.” (Rich Lataille & D.D. Bastos of Roomful of Blues / Photo by Sonja Lemoi)

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

When I was a kid in high school, I went to a jam session at a friend of my brother's, an organ player. Word got out that I could play, and subsequently, I joined a local blues band, Cedar Street West. I met Duke Robillard through them and eventually he asked me to join Roomful.

There have been many highlights over the years. Getting the chance to perform and record with some of my musical heros like Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Big Joe Turner, and Earl King being right at the top.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of a music in today’s society?

The blues is the foundation for pretty much all American music styles. You can evoke all kinds of emotions and feeling. There's happy blues, sad blues, joyful blues, angry blues. All of our experiences are there in the music.  

What keeps a musician passionate after six decades in Soul/Blues? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

Even though I've been in one band for over 50 years, I really feel like I've been in several different ones. Over time we've had some major turnover in personel, and each time it;s been a little different. So that change keeps it interesting. Also, I get a chance to play in other musical settings from time to time as well.

It's important to have good technique, but even more important to have that feeling.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

…The blues has been around for a long time, and it will remain relevant as long as people appreciate genuine heartfelt playing, which we try to bring to every performance.

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(Roomful of Blues / Photo by Sonja Lemoi)