DUKE ROBILLARD

Since bursting onto the scene in 1967 as the founder and frontman of Roomful of Blues, Duke Robillard has been a powerhouse force in Blues, Swing, and classic R&B/Jump Blues for over four decades. With a career that spans more than 45 electrifying years, Duke has not only earned his place among the genre’s royalty—he’s helped shape its very soul, inspiring generations of musicians and captivating audiences around the world.
A two-me Grammy nominee—Groove-a-Rama for Contemporary Blues Album and Stomp! The Blues Tonight for Traditional Blues—Duke’s accolades are as impressive as his guitar chops. In 2010, he was named Traditional Male Blues Artist of the Year at the Blues Music Awards, and he’s taken home Guitarist of the Year honors four times, making him the second most awarded artist in that category’s history. Since 1989, he’s racked up a staggering 21 BMA nominations across multiple categories.
In 2004, the Blues Foundation recognized his brilliance behind the scenes, presenting him with the Keeping the Blues Alive award for Producer of the Year. Duke’s excellence doesn’t stop at the border—he’s won international awards in both France and Canada, and in 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Duke’s new album “Blast Off!”, on Nola Blue was released on Feb 20, 2026. With a nonstop touring schedule that spans over 30 years and a discography boasting more than 38 critically acclaimed albums under his own name, Duke Robillard’s tireless passion for music is undeniable. His guitar wizardry has graced the stages and studios of legends like Tom Waits, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bob Dylan, Ruth Brown, Jay McShann, Pinetop Perkins, Kim Wilson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Rosco Gordon, Maria Muldaur—and countless others.
In 2010, Duke and his band were nominated for Band of the Year, and in 2014, he received one of his highest honors yet: induction into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.