Roomful Of Blues — Steppin’ Out! (Alligator Records, 2025)
Roomful of Blues returns with Steppin’ Out!, the band’s 20th album and the first to feature a female lead vocalist, D.D. Bastos.
Formed in 1967, the veteran ensemble has earned seven Blues Music Awards, and two DownBeat International Critics’ Poll wins for Best Blues Band. Masterful guitarist and bandleader Chris Vachon has steered the group since 1998 while tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille has led the powerful horn section since 1970.
On Steppin’ Out!, Vachon has produced a superb 14-track set that preserves Roomful’s signature horn-driven mix of swing, blues, early rock ’n’ roll, and rhythm and blues. Most notable is the dazzling interplay of guitar, horns, and a seasoned rhythm section.
The opener, “Satisfied” (Billy “The Kid” Emerson), sets a spirited tone. The splendid material draws on largely under-covered gems: Big Mama Thornton (“You Don’t Move Me No More”), Big Maybelle (“I’ve Got a Feeling,” “Tell Me Who”), Etta James (“Good Rocking Daddy”), Buddy & Ella Johnson (“Why Don’t Cha Stop It”), Jimmy McCracklin (“Steppin’ Up in Class”), Tiny Bradshaw (“Well Oh Well”), Z.Z. Hill (“You Were Wrong”), and Smiley Lewis (“Dirty People”).
The band’s horn-forward identity took shape after Lataille joined in 1970. A self-titled debut arrived in 1977 on Island Records. Between 1980 and 2001, Roomful recorded nine albums for Rounder’s Bullseye Blues and Varrick imprints, toured widely across the United States, and performed in 22 countries. Collaborations and shared bills have included B.B. King, Otis Rush, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, and Carlos Santana.
Since signing with Alligator Records, the band released That’s Right! (2003, Grammy-nominated), Standing Roomhttps://amzn.to/4miaibL Only (2005), Raisin’ a Ruckus (2008), Hook, Line & Sinker (2010), 45 Live (2013), In a Roomful of Blues (2020), and now Steppin’ Out! (2025).
Vocalist D.D. Bastos began singing in church at age five; earned All-Eastern Honors Ensemble recognition representing Massachusetts; led D.D. & The Road Kings; has long ties to New England blues circles; serves as a choral director in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and has taught privately for over 20 years.
Chris Vachon has been a member since 1990; bandleader since 1998; producer of the group’s most recent releases; and is also a songwriter with enduring radio staples.
Rich Lataille is the principal architect of the signature horn sound. His influences include Lester Young, Johnny Hodges, and Gene Ammons.
John Turner is a veteran of the New England jazz scene. His credits include the Either/Orchestra and work with Roswell Rudd and Lee Konitz.
Jeff Ceasrine is a multi-instrumentalist and longtime on-call keyboardist for Roomful; influenced by Pinetop Perkins, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Lonnie Smith, Otis Spann, and Jimmy Smith.
Mike Coffey, a Newport, Rhode Island–based drummer, spent two decades with the U.S. Navy band; active in New England jazz and blues.
Craig Thomas, a Washington, DC–born saxophonist, has performed with Les McCann and Aretha Franklin.
Christopher Pratt , Rhode Island trumpeter and educator. He spent four decades doing regional and national work, including university teaching.
Musicians: D.D. Bastos on vocals; bandleader, producer Chris Vachon on guitar; Rich Lataille on tenor and alto sax; Jeff Ceasrine on piano and organ; John Turner on upright and electric bass; Mike Coffey on drums; Craig Thomas on baritone and tenor sax; and Christopher Pratt on trumpet.
Buy Steppin’ Out.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.