About The Robin Robertson Band
Formerly known as The Robin Robertson Blues Band, the band recently decided to drop the word Blues from the name — not because the blues is any less important to them, but because it no longer fully described the breadth of their music.
The Robin Robertson Band are a five-piece band of professional musicians brought together by a shared love of blues, soul, rock and Americana. Their music draws on all of those influences, combining driving rhythms, soulful vocals and expressive slide guitar with original songwriting that is full of energy, character and heart.
Away from the band, each member is an active professional musician, working across an unusually wide range of settings — from orchestras and jazz groups to solo projects, ensembles and session work. That depth of experience feeds directly into the sound of the band: rooted in the blues, but never confined by it.
The band have toured extensively and appeared at festivals and venues across the UK and beyond. Their international debut came at the Mijas Blues Festival in Spain in July 2014, and they have since headlined the Blues Matters Stage at the Great British Rock and Blues Festival.
More recently, the band have become regular favourites at the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne, with repeat invitations to perform several shows across the festival in 2023, 2024 and 2026.
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 regular visitors to some of Britain's best-known blues clubs, including Stockton Blues Club (Blues at the Bay), Borders Blues Club, Falkirk Blues Club and London's Ain't Nothin' But..., where they performed for three consecutive nights.
Recording has always been an important part of the band's story. Their debut album, RRBB, attracted excellent reviews in publications including Blues Matters and Blues Blast Magazine, with tracks also featured on Krossborder Records' Best of British Blues, distributed by Proper Records.
Their second album, Look Before You Leap, continued that momentum, receiving critical acclaim and radio play across the UK and internationally, including stations in Europe, the USA, Australia and South America.
The journey continues with the release of the band's latest album, Elemental Rhythm — a collection that reflects both where the band has come from and the wider musical territory they now inhabit.
Their latest single is a soulful, funky reworking of The Band's classic song, The Weight, bringing the Robin Robertson Band's own groove and character to one of Americana's most enduring songs.
More information, music and reviews can be found throughout the site at www.therrbband.com.
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." Read 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 performed in the world famous 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 where she has been a solo performer with renouned conductor Sir Antonio Pappano CVO and The London Symphony Orchestra, and writing and singing in the Robin Robertson Band.
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.
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