About The Robin Robertson Band
Previously known as The Robin Robertson Blues Band, the band recently decided to drop the “Blues” from their name. They did this , not because hey no longer love and play the Blues, but that it didn't quite encompass the variety of influences in their music.
The Robin Robertson Band are a five piece band, all professional musicians who play for the love of Blues, Soul, Rock and Americana . Writing music that is exciting and full of heart and driving rhythm, balanced by soulful vocals, and slide guitar. The band are all busy musicians working both solo and within a wide range of ensembles from orchestras to Jazz groups as well as supporting artists as session musicians.
The band have also toured and headlined festivals and venues for many years, with their international debut at The Mijas Blues Festival in Spain in July 2014 and headlining the Blues Stage at The Great British Rock and Blues Festival. Recent additions to the festival circuit have been repeat invites to play several shows as part of the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, Colne in both 2023 and 2024. Other festival appearances have included, Maryport Music Festival, Dundee Blues Festival , Bell Rock Festival and Callander Jazz and Blues Festival. The band have also been a regular feature at British blues clubs such as Stockton Blues Club (Blues at the Bay), Borders Blues club, Falkirk Blues Club and Ain't Nothin club in London, where they played for 3 consecutive nights. They continue to play in many of these and other venues throughout the UK.
The band's recording history is notable with the first album RRBB attracting excellent reviews in publications such as Blues Matters and Blues Blast Magazine, with tracks included on Krossborder Records , Best of British Blues on Proper Records distribution. The second album Look Before You leap, again, received critical acclaim and radio air play in the UK, Europe, Australia and on stations In Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal UK and USA .
The journey continues with the recent release of the album Elemental Rhythm. Information and reveiws can be found below and elsewhere on the site.
The new single, a soulful and funky version of The Band's song, The Weight is to be released at the end of June 2025.
Latest Album Reviews
"A well crafted blend of blues, R&B and roots music to provide a thoroughly enjoyable musical experience. Annette’s commanding vocal goodness is the icing on the cake of this top notch band. It is all here-Great lyrics, great production and sympathetic musicianship." Red the full review here.
Greg “Bluesdog” Szalony, October 24, The Blues Blast Magazine
“The newest release from this Scottish five-piece band is a refreshing dive into the heart of blues, displaying a deep understanding of the genre's roots while injecting it with a modern sensibility. The band, led by the talented Robin Robertson offers a collection of tracks that are both musically rich and emotionally resonant.” Read the full review here. Colin Campbell, Blues Matters!, issue 141, September 2024
“This four-piece band manages to create a fulsome sound, the warm, full-bodied vocals of Annette Chapman serving to enhance performances to eargrabbing effect…..‘I’m Bad’ visits the Katie Webster songbook for an album-length adventure in Louisiana blues, keyboard man Colin Hutcheon doing a great job to revive the spirit of Katie, as does Annette’s growling vocal. ‘Hands Up’ lifts the tempo as Ryan Cairney’s drums add a solid backbeat…….. ‘Nocturne’ provides a showcase of instrumental intensity featuring Robin’s fine guitar. ‘Same Old War, Better Equipment’, as you might deduce from the title, is an exercise in blues philosophy, tinged with rock undertones, putting me in mind of Shemekia Copeland – a fitting compliment….. Chapman certainly has a penchant for both writing and delivering songs that both grab and keep the attention, bridged by a woven combination of keys and guitar, with an honourable mention to bass player Brian Branford in the ‘engine room’. ” Clive Richardson, Blues in Britain, Issue 271, July 2024
“Chapman lays bare her vocal ability, wringing tension and emotion from each word...Annette Chapman's voice is a sheer delight reminding me at times of Maggie Bell...I'm just surprised we've never heard of her before” - Merv Osborne
— Blues Matters Magazine
Annette chapman
Vocalist and Songwriter
A graduate of The University of Glasgow BMus course and trained classical singer, Annette has performed (both solo and in ensembles) throughout the UK and abroad and in a variety of London venues. Some huge and prestigious such as The O2 Arena and The Albert Hall and some intimate and iconic like The 12 Bar Club on Denmark Street and Ain’t Nothing But on Kingly Street. More recently, she has perfromed in The Bluebird cafe, Nashvile and 21st Amendment in New Orleans. An experienced performer in both classical and popular genres, she has received critical acclaim for her work both as a singer and songwriter,and is experienced as a session singer, both live and in the recording studio. Annette’s current projects include singing with the official chorus of the Edinburgh International Festival, and writing and singing in the RRBB.
Robin Robertson
Guitarist and Songwriter
Robin is a trained Jazz guitarist and renowned guitar teacher. Appearances include Jazz Festivals, Guitar Festivals and Celtic Connections. His projects and Collaborations include Jon Lord (Deep Purple), Gunther Schuller (Miles Davis), Guthrie Govan (Dizzy Rascal), Stuart Ryan (Martin Taylor) and Stan Barker (Digby Fairweather). He teaches and gives demonstrations in guitar and Jazz workshops and seminars throughout the UK. Robin’s current projects include The Big Band Theory, The Fabulous Shire Boys and RRBB
Colin Hutcheon
Keyboards
Colin has experience of playing in a wide range of musical styles gained through an extensive career. He studied music at Edinburgh University and went on to teach music in schools across Scotland. He is highly regarded as a versatile and sensitive accompanist but really enjoys playing music that allows for some spontaneity and improvisation.
His current projects include Jazz big bands and the RRBB.
Brian Branford
Bass Guitar
After 5 years of high school cello lessons Brian took up the bass guitar at 17 and has never looked back. Cutting his teeth in numerous Greenock and Glasgow bands, he formed the Sound Development Agency in 1998. The band toured, recorded and along the way, played Glastonbury, T In the Park and the George Square Hogmanay show. Later he toured with Horse and played on her album Red Haired girl. Returning to his roots he currently plays with the RRBB, Band A and Volume with Neil Wilson.
Ryan Cairney
Kit
Since graduating from Edinburgh College with a BA Music Performance, Ryan has been working extensively in projects related to performance, teaching and producing. In addition to teaching drums and percussion at Lamp House music, Ryan plays professionally with bands and ensembles. from Blues (with The RRBB) to Big Band, and from swing to Doom Metal. Ryan continues to perform professionally with a wide array of performers.
Press Photos
