THE KING BEES have been Stingin’ & Swingin’ the Blues for over 20 years. Founding members are bassist-songwriter-vocalist 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 POSSUM JENKINS’ DAVID BREWER. 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, SANDRA HALL, BIG RON HUNTER, ROY ROBERTS etc.,etc. as part of THE KING BEES’ show.
Influences
HOUND DOG & QUEEN BEE SAY: "WE’VE BEEN SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAPPEN TO BE BLUES GREATS OPEN UP THEIR HEARTS, SHOW A LOT OF PATIENCE & TAKE US UNDER THEIR WINGS. WHAT EVER PLEASURE WE MAY GIVE THROUGH MUSIC WE OWE TO THEM & THEIR GUIDANCE..."
HOUND DOG BASKERVILLE SEZ: "I dig the kind of blues guitar that goes for the raw emotion, tells a story and has its own individual voice. It’s not enough to sound like someone else, even the greats. Each blues musician has a story to tell that’s his own. And I find I am really influenced by harp players, since I’ve had the good luck to play with the best." B.B. KING, JIMMY VAUGHAN, LUTHER"GUITAR JR." JOHNSON, FREDDIE KING, CAREY BELL, JERRY MCCAIN, CHICK WILLIS, MAGIC SAM, RONNIE EARL..... BASS, VOCAL & SONG WRITING INFLUENCES:
QUEEN BEE sez: "There are so many great bass players I love to listen to. It would be wonderful 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. We have to dig deep and be unique while respecting the tradition.I have loved CARUSO from my childhood, as well as PAVAROTTI & LANZA. The Blues boasts legions of gifted singers covering spectrums from raw to rich, and so many have moved me, both male and female:" CHARLEY 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
Kenneth Johnson, The Charlotte Observer:
"The band is led by the sassy Penny Zamagni on bass and vocals; she can belt it out with the best of them. She’s backed by a superb band highlighted by the burning riffing of guitarist Rob Baskerville."
J. James, Greenline: "Blues purists with impeccable taste and chops to match.".....
Loafer, Johnson City, TN:"Stinging! Top of the line blues...Baskerville blisters the fretboard...his guitar work raises the roof and shakes the foundation."
"Excellent...Queen Bee Zamagni has a strong, swinging, slinky voice used to good effect on every number. Fine straight blues all the way..Tasty!" BLUES & RHYTHM, ENGLAND
OUT AND ABOUT, Asheville, NC: "Zamagni is a first class blues singer, one of the best I’ve heard...She is a singing/ song writing/playing componant any blues band would kill to have on board."
"The King Bees have delighted audiences for years. Queen Bee’s vocals are expressive and strong; Baskerville’s guitar playing is right on, from cool slide to sizzling licks." BLUE SUEDE NEWS
"Legendary Blues stylists..." KNOXVILLE JOURNAL
"The King Bees strut their stuff through burning originals..." BLUES ACCESS
"An acclaimed American Blues outfit..." PIPELINE(UK)
THE KING BEES are used to rockin’ their blues in some great settings - Rome, New York City, Paris, Amsterdam. Their deep love of the genre, their keen musical sensibilities, and their pure pleasure in performing translate into any language.
Founded in 1987 by guitarist/organist HOUND DOG BASKERVILLE and singer/song-writer/bassist, PENNY "QUEEN BEE" ZAMAGNI, THE KING BEES cut their teeth traveling to Mississippi & the deep-South to learn first hand form the real-deal blues folk. They honed their skills sitting in with and backing up many blues titans - Bo Diddley, Tinsley Ellis, Billy Branch, Mojo Buford, Big Jack Johnson, Sam Carr, Frank Frost, Lazy Lester, Ronnie Earl - these are only a few who’ve invited The ’Bees to share the stage.
But what has most refined and sharpened their cut-to-the-bone talent are the years spent on the road with some of the most legendary of blues greats, such as CAREY BELL, NAPPY BROWN, JERRY MCCAIN, CHICK WILLIS, CHICAGO BOB NELSON and others.
But don’t think The King Bees are merely a superior back-up band. Having learned at the feet of the greats throughout the deep-South has amply prepared them to forge a smoldering, rocking, soul-stirring sound that’s all their own. Over the many, many miles logged in the States, and in numerous European tours, they’ve proven that they can raise the roof at prestigious concert halls, such as Lincoln Center NYC, shake the stage at European festivals, and bring the crowd to their knees in a juke-joint way down South. Their CDs on TRAMP RECORDS featuring QUEEN BEE ZAMAGNI’S originals have garnered international raves....THE KING BEES also produce several world-class BLUES FESTIVALS in the High Country, including THE NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL in Jefferson, NC as well as WINTERFEST BLUES & SUMMERFEST BLUES. in Blowing Rock, NC. Zamagni and Baskerville have brought top of the line performers to these events including ETTA BAKER, LITTLE PINK ANDERSON, NAPPY BROWN, ROY ROBERTS, SANDRA HALL, JERRY MCCAIN and many others.
A Friend Is Like A Four Leaf Clover: Hard To Find And Lucky To Have! Have A Great And Wonderful Week! Hope Everything Goes Well ! A Big Hug For Your Friendship!
Thanks for having us here and for your kind comment and for your music! Though you can't tell from BTL music, I "grew up" on blues and that's still my musical bedrock. Peace and all the best - Ted from BTL
Grazie The King Bees per la vostra amicizia complimenti per lo splendido sound siete fantastici.Con un soffio armonico vi mando un caloroso saluto.Ciao AldoBlues.....
