King Bee Live! featuring Andre Espeut

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Last Show: Wednesday 22 nd August 2018

PizzaExpress Live (Holborn)

King Bee is a six piece jazzfunk/fusion band from Newcastle upon Tyne. They have been enthusing audiences up and down the UK since their formation in 2011 and bring their mesmeric live show to London for the very first time. Expect to hear vibraphone, horns, synths, and an irresistible bass groove that will have you up on that dance floor. Championed by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Craig Charles and latterly DJ Robbie Vincent, The Ronnie Scotts Radio Show, JazzFM Mi-Soul and SoulTrain UK Radio, this band know how to get a party started, and keep it there!

"A revelation!"Craig Charles BBC Radio 6 Music

“Return of the Dave is brilliant! Great vibe great music!” Mike Chadwick Jazz FM

King Bee is a six piece jazz funk/fusion band, writing and performing all its own music, and formed in 2011 by Dave Wilde (previously sax, flute and songwriter for North East UK band Smoove and Turrell) and vibraphonist Chris Jelly. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne the band was originally influenced by the likes of Roy Ayres, Donald Byrd and Herbie Hancock. Over the years King Bee has established itself with a distinctive acid jazz style - groove heavy, psychedelic on occasion, but always with a phat-funk laden sound.

The debut album “King Bee,” was recorded in 2014 at Loft Music Studios Newcastle and mastered by Dave Cooley of Elysian Masters in Los Angeles. Dave was responsible for re-mastering the likes of J-Dilla, Quantic and David Axelrod. Debuted live at Newcastle’s renowned Hoochie Coochie, the album was acclaimed highly, scoring a 9/10 from the legendary magazine Blues and Soul.

Tracks from the album such as ‘Return of the Dave’ ‘Hot Wax’ and ‘Jellyman Funk’ were supported nationally by Mike Chadwick at Jazz FM, London’s Solar Radio, Craig Charles at BBC Radio 6 Music, Robert Elms for BBC London and at BBC Introducing amongst many others worldwide.

The ‘King Bee Live!’ shows have played a major part in the bands increasing popularity over the years performing to large audiences at venues such as Sage Gateshead International Jazz Festival, sell outs at Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival Birmingham Manchester’s Band on the Wall and Hoochie Coochie Newcastle, with a live set for BBC Tees Introducing amongst many more.

Band Lineup

Dave Wilde (sax/flute/synth/lead vocals)
Chris Jelly (vibraphone/malletkat/vocals)
Dan Brady (bass guitar/vocals)
Richard Burns (trumpet/synth/vocals)
Stephen Glendinning (guitar/vocals)
Martin Douglas (drums/vocals)
Brendan Murphy (percussion)
Andre Espeut (guest vocals)