Lex and Joe

About the Artist

Lex and Joe have been playing "Swing and Blues" music up and down the East Coast for twenty-five years.

A shared interest in the fabled swing era of the 1930's and 40's as well as more contemporary Rhythm and Blues, has resulted in this enduring and productive collaboration. Even though swing's their thing, Lex and Joe's play list encompasses Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and songs from Van Morrison, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom Waits, and Leon Redbone. Solidly based in the blues, Lex and Joe combine strong rhythm playing with diverse instrumental timbres.

Lex Romane plays guitar, fusing the intense rhythmic drive of masters like Freddie Green with modern R&B feeling.


In his distinctive vocals, Lex shows the influence of such varied artists as Muddy Waters,Van Morrison, and Leon Redbone.


Joe Riillo, a classically trained clarinetist, quickly discovered the enticements of R&B and jazz. Switching to the saxophone, he developed a singular style influenced by artists ranging from King Curtis and Johnny Almond to Cannonball Adderly and Lester Young. On the clarinet, he offers tribute to Pete Fountain, Jimmy Hamilton, and Eddie Daniels. Joe also plays flute.