Halloween eve. A 300-person club on a state highway in the Hudson Valley. Eight musicians, a wall of horns, and more than 55 years of blues road-tested to a shine. If you have been looking for a reason to make the drive to Pawling, here it is.
About Roomful of Blues
Roomful of Blues has been doing this since 1967 — founded in southern Rhode Island as a Chicago-style electric blues outfit, they evolved over the decades into one of the most decorated horn-driven jump and swing bands anywhere. When Count Basie called them “the hottest blues band I ever heard,” that was not small talk.
The band is an eight-piece ensemble led by guitarist and bandleader Chris Vachon, who has held the role since 1998. The current lineup features D.D. Bastos on vocals — the first woman to hold that spot in the band’s history — alongside a full horn section and a rhythm section built for the dance floor. Their sound pulls from jump, swing, R&B, soul, and rock ’n’ roll, and DownBeat has put it plainly: “in a class by themselves.” Five Grammy nominations, seven Blues Music Awards, and twice named Best Blues Band by DownBeat’s International Critics’ Poll. They have toured in 22 countries and shared stages with B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, and Carlos Santana.
Their most recent album, Steppin’ Out! (2025), marks a new chapter — Bastos out front, reinterpreting blues classics originally recorded by legends like Big Mama Thornton and Etta James. It is a good entry point if you are new to them, and an excellent reason to show up early and pay attention.
The Venue
Daryl’s House is a 300-capacity club at 130 NY-22 in Pawling — a Hudson Valley room that keeps things close. Doors open at 5:00 PM, show starts at 8:00 PM EDT. This is an all-ages event.
Tickets & Pricing
Tickets range from $33.84 to $50.32 and go on sale Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM EDT. Eight musicians, horns, Halloween weekend, and a 300-person room — do not sit on this one. Grab tickets here.