On returning to the UK, Keith decided to form a Band specialising in the Jazz styles of Swing, Blues and Jump music - made famous by the 'greats' such as Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Roy Eldridge, Louis Prima, Louis Jordan and others.
The Keith Little Band is a fully professional Band and the musicians are very experienced. It is this and their obvious enjoyment of the music that has made them so popular at home and abroad. The Band has fun on stage but also takes the music very seriously. The result is undeniable - a tight driving Band that leaves its audiences feeling very good indeed.
In the seven years since its formation, the Band has risen dramatically from playing local venues to performing at concerts and festivals across the UK and overseas.
The line-up is:
Keith Little - piano, (leader); Pete Locke - trombone, vocals;
Laurie Davies - trumpet; Martin Butterworth - clarinet, tenor sax;
Donnie Joe Sweeney - string bass; Mike Pincombe - drums.
2. Personnel
Keith Little, now living in South Wales, has a long professional jazz career that started with five years touring Europe in a British five piece swing and jump band (Colin Dawson Onward Band). Later, he moved to Stuttgart, Germany, playing free-lance, also guesting with visiting American musicians (Benny Waters, Jean Connors, Warren Vache, Peanuts Hucko etc.) and touring with German Bands. In 1994 he was invited to join the Allotria Jazzband from Munich, playing with them for four years and touring the United States and Canada many times, before returning to Britain.
Laurie Davies is often referred to in the world of music as "The Guv'nor" for his faultless, effortless trumpet playing. His experience is wide and diverse including innumerable theatre and television shows. His jazz trumpet expertise sparkles and his range is phenomenal.
Martin Butterworth has an extensive jazz history, having played with bands of all styles from New Orleans through to Swing. He is an experienced and powerful musician who has developed exciting and individual soloing skills.
Pete Locke ran his own jazz band for over twenty-five years, gaining considerable experience as a result. As well as his popular "tailgate" trombone style and easy-listening vocals, he has an engaging and relaxed manner as the Band's presenter on stage.
Donnie Joe Sweeney is the newest member of the Hot Six and comes from Seattle, USA. He studied bass at the University of Washington and received tuition from the great Ray Brown amongst others. His great sense of Swing, his soloing and vocal talents make him a real asset to the Band.
Mike Pincombe has played "with everyone". An exceptionally talented drummer and session musician, he has played in BBC bands for countless television shows as well as backing visiting jazz musicians. He also has a long and varied jazz history from playing in small groups as well as big bands.
It was the bringing together of this wealth of experience that has enabled the Band to progress as fast as it has and to become the innovative and hugely popular sound that it is.
The Band currently has three CDs available entitled "red, hot and blue" (released Dec. 2000), "hotter than that" (released Dec. 2002) and "Swing Fever" released in August 2006.
