Roomful of Blues swings into PAC

FRYEBURG — Back by popular demand, Roomful of Blues will perform at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $22.50 for adults, $20 for seniors(65+) and $10 for students and may be purchased online at www.fryeburgacademy.org or by contacting the box office at 935-9232.

The theater is located at 18 Bradley Street on the campus of Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg. Parking is free.

For 45 years Roomful of Blues has been pleasing crowds around the world. Even though Roomful of Blues’ lineup has changed over the years, the band has always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles around, filling dance floors and theaters with fans.

For all that time, they’ve celebrated the jump blues, R&B and early rock ‘n’ roll music of the horn-powered golden era of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Roomful does not simply recreate the famous and obscure 78s and 45s of those years. Inspired by the spirit of the groundbreaking bands of the post-World War II decade, they’ve breathed new life into vintage songs, infusing them with boundless energy and fiery, swinging solos and vocals.

Currently an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon, the band has never sounded fresher or stronger. In 2010, singer Phil Pemberton took over the vocal duties, bringing his sweet and soulful vocals and adding another bright new dimension to the jazzy, jump-blues musical roots.

Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues, R&B and soul remains their calling card, as does their ability to fill the dance floor. Other members include bassist John Turner, trumpeter Doug Woolverton and, longer standing members keyboardist Travis Colby, drummer Ephraim Lowell, baritone and tenor saxophonist Mark Earley and tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille.