Member Since: 2/18/2008
Band Website: http://www.myspace.com/thekingbeesblues
Band Members: .. THE KING BEES have been Stingin' & Swingin' the Blues for over 20 years. Founding members are PENNY "QUEEN BEE" ZAMAGNI & guitarist & keyboardist HOUND DOG BASKERVILLE. On drums THE KING BEES boast a stellar line-up. JUMPIN' JOE ORR, a 45 year R&B vet usually assumes the throne. But you may also catch drummer delux MARTIN HENDERSON or special guest DAVID BREWER of POSSUM JENKINS .. shows. CHARLES POPPLE ZAMAGNI, the reclusive great of the skins makes rare, but heralded appearences. A frequent sidekick is sax-man-El Supremo MIKE KINCAID. Also the IRISH HURRICAIN, DENNIS MURPHY, sometimes graces the KING BEE entourage.
..AND...often you can catch Blues Stars CLIFFORD CURRY, JERRY MCCAIN, JOHHNY RAWLS, SANDRA HALL, BIG RON HUNTER, ROY ROBERTS etc.,etc. as part of THE KING BEES' show.<?font> ..
.. QUEEN BEE ZAMAGNI and HOUND DOG BASKERVILLE produce THE NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL-Check out highlights from the absolutely fantastic NRBF through the years below:
Influences:BASS, VOCAL & SONG WRITING INFLUENCES:
QUEEN BEE sez: "It's been my wonderful good fortune to work with numerous Blues Greats who have gone out of their way to take me under their wings & I thank them.. There are so many spectacular bass players I love to listen to. It would be grand to think they influenced me, but I can only say they have inspired me. WILLIE DIXON, CALVIN JONES, JERRY JAMMOTT, KEITH FERGUSON, BOB STROGER, RAY BROWN, JAMES JAMERSON..." QUEEN BEE sez: "With vocalists the same goes. Inspiration--not imitation--is the key to finding your own voice. I have loved ENRICO CARUSO from childhood & PAVAROTTI & LANZA too...The Blues boasts legions of gifted singers covering spectrums from raw to rich, and so many have inspired me, both male and female: CHAREY PATTON, BESSIE SMITH, MEMPHIS MINNIE, BIG MAMA THORTON, BIG MAYBELLE, KOKO TAYLOR, SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON I & II, MUDDY WATERS, HOWLIN' WOLF... "
QUEEN BEE sez: "I take Blues song writing very seriously, keeping in mind that many of the best Blues songs inject humor into what could be painful, even devastating life situations. The best Blues song writers were philosophers, psychologists, shamans: CHARLEY PATTON, ROBERT JOHNSON, SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (RICE MILLER), WILLIE DIXON, MEMPHIS MINNIE..."
Sounds Like: You tell me!---------------------------------------------------------
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It was my great honor, with The KING BEES to spend several years touring with and recording with the great CAREY BELL.
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BELOW ARE SOME OF THE GREATS WHO HAVE INSPIRED ME...
Record Label: Tramp Records
Type of Label: Indie