RGG December 2016 - p.14
Veterans of many bands and 1000's of gigs
down the years, The Little Band were conceived
in early 2016 by some 'mature' Brum stalwarts
and ex bandmates as a one off tribute to one of
the Midlands’ best loved and powerful vocalists
- Curtis Little - who sadly passed away after a
long illness in 2015. Curtis had been a mainstay
of bands such as Slender Loris, The Soul
Doctors, and The Official Receivers for more
than three decades.
The original plan was for just a one off show.
Rehearsals were held, and after a storming
debut at the Brasshouse in Birmingham in
February 2016, more gigs were demanded and
subsequently the band have been joined by
many of the Midlands’ top musicians at other
shows, including: Curtis's sons,
Mathew
and
Jamie Little
- both great musicians in their own
right -
Jim Hickman, Richard Bailey, Ed
Taylor, Ricky Cool, Ted Bunting, Roy Adams,
Neil Simpson, Brian Badhams, Wango
Wiggins, Roger Innis, Dan Machin, Malcolm
Smart, Judy Blu, Steve James
and many
others. Pretty well a who's who of Brum talent!
What started out as a bit of a pick up band has
now settled into a steady line up of Hickman,
Bailey, Taylor and Smart, playing jazzy, funky
soul and blues. You can expect different takes
on well known tunes, sprinkled with original
tunes from prolific songwriter Jim Hickman.
There is an eclectic mix of covers from the likes
of
Steely Dan, Jeff Beck, Booker T, Wilson
Picket, Clarence Clemons
and many others.
Songs you will know well, and others you may
think....”now where have I heard that before?”
