Big Boy Little Band
The Big Boy Little Band
"Blues for Grown-Ups"
NEW! Big Boy Little Band records live at Sirius XM Radio Studios! Listen to our originals now aired on XM Radio's Bluesville station, Channel 74!
New Website! Check out the new website with videos, music samples, calendar, blues jams, etc. www.bigboylittleband.com
Big Boy Little Band - Finalist (Top 11) at the Int'l Blues Challenge, Memphis, TN, billed as the "World's Largest Gathering of Blues Bands" - out of 110 bands from 39 states and 14 countries!
Guitarist Matt Kelley wins Albert King Award for top guitarist at the Int'l Blues Challenge and is awarded a custom blue Gibson guitar with Blues Foundation logo and a custom Category 5 amp!
Big Boy Little wins the DC Blues Society Blues Challenge and represents the DC Blues Society and community at the Int'l Blues Challenge in the "Blues Capital of the World" Memphis, TN, Jan. 21-23, 2010!
Bret's opened for B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells + more!
About The Big Boy …
Big Boy Little may be the nom de blues of veteran harp player/singer Bret Littlehales, but then again it may not. If it is, then we can trace him back to the Northside Blues Band in 1968-69, with a young Bobby Radcliff on guitar. If not, then he might have been the mysterious harp player on Son House's extended recording of Death Letter Blues in Mississippi circa 1942. Then again, that might have been someone else.
This we know for sure: he's led the BBL Blues Band in DC for the last seven years, five in residence at the Zoo Bar, and that, much like the Duke of Earl, nothing can stop him. In fact, the brand new edition of the band debuts Thursday nights at the Zoo Bar Blues Jam.
Loved by some, including himself, reviled by some, also including himself, BBL keeps those blues keepin' on, whatever that means.
What they’re saying …
"Great job guys. You all sounded great." – Bill Wax, XM Radio
"Back in 1967, Bret Littlehales (AKA Big Boy Little) was THE harmonica man! He not only played like a demon, but knew more about blues music than anybody else. He was a major influence on shaping the Washington blues scene back then & he's still playing the real 100%, low down & dirty blues to this day."
- Bobby Radcliff
"These guys play blues for grown-ups." - Bill Kirchen
"Bret and I were rivals in 1967 for top dog local harp guys. I did Bret the favor of leaving town and he and Bobby Radcliff formed the Northside Blues Band, the prototype DC whiteboy blues band. I returned to DC in 1972 and started the Nighthawks. Now Bret's back. I guess I better tighten up."
- Mark Wenner of The Nighthawks
"This guy's a real blues player." - Huey Lewis of The News
Matt Kelley, “a stunning young guitarist-singer” – Washington Post.
Influences: The usual gang of Blues geniuses and sub-geniuses coupled w/ a healthy respect for everything Cosimo Mattassa ever recorded.
Sounds like: A bunch of musicians who really know what they're doing.
More About the Band ...
The Big Boy Little Band has been in residence at the Zoo Bar in Washington DC for the last four years. "We run the weekly blues jam every Thursday," says the Big Boy. "We try to keep things going smoothly." In addition, the Big Boy brings the guys in on the 1st Saturday every month for at least three solid hours of originals and covers. The band also features young guitar sensation Matt Kelley, along with the great Robby Leebrick on drums, and blues bass maestro left-handed "Wolf" Crescenze on bass. I hope the new Big Boy Band will be just as exciting as the old. Different, but still committed to my philosophy that blues has to be played just right. It's not rock, it's not jazz- it's blues. And playing blues is what I do.
www.bigboylittleband.com
www.myspace.com/BigBoyLittleBand
So check it out- the enigmatic, quixotic, mysterious, always entertaining Big Boy Little Band!
websites:
www.bigboylittleband.com
www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
www.myspace.com/BigBoyLittleBand
Hosting OPEN BLUES JAM EVERY THURSDAY @ The Zoo Bar Cafe!
"Open Blues Jam" hosted by
The Big Boy Little Band
"This guy's a real blues player." - Huey Lewis of The News
Zoo Bar Cafe, Thursdays, 8:30 pm - 12:30 am, no cover
The "Open Blues Jam" with The Big Boy Little Band is a great deal - no cover charge for usually 12 to 20 musicians. This long-running blues jam draws some of the best blues musicians in the city, even traveling musicians from out of town, many of whom perform in bands whose normal fees are higher than the Zoo Bar Cafe can match. Quality entertainment with no cover charge!
The Big Boy Little is an excellent performer, as well as the host, with his band, of the Thursday night Open Blues Jam. Acting as MC and working with a core group of regularly attending musicians, he gets the Jam up and rolling. This core group then supports other talent that come to join or replace the various musicians. Sometimes a whole group of performers perform together and take the stage on their own. You can't beat the talent or the price!
1st Saturdays too! Mark your calendar: The first Saturday of every month, "The Big Boy Little Band", featuring Bret Littlehales on vocals and harmonica, Matt Kelley on guitar and vocals, "Wolf" Crescenze on bass and Robby Leebrick on drums, perform at the Zoo Bar Cafe starting at 10 pm, no cover.
"These guys play blues for grown-ups." - Bill Kirchen.
The Zoo Bar Cafe
3000 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 232-4225
www.zoobardc.com
Across from the Zoo. Friendly neighborhood hangout with great pub food (stir fry, salads, flame broiled burgers, wings, hand cut fries, hand cut onion rings & Wolf-approved chocolate cake too)/full menu! Outdoor patio with umbrella tables alongside Connecticut Avenue.
Runner Up City Paper's Best Blues Club!
"Glen Echo Park Dances" hosted by The Big Boy Little Band
"This guy's a real blues player." - Huey Lewis of The News
Fridays (2010 dates TBA): Swingin' the Blues Dance, 8 pm - 12 am
Sundays (2010 dates TBA): Slow Blues Dance, 7-11 pm
It's always a treat to play for the dancers, and the dancers really enjoy our music!
HUGE Wooden Dance Floors & No Partner Required!
Fridays (TBA): "Swingin' the Blues Dance". Held in the Bumper Car Pavilion. Dance and lessons ($14). Lessons: 8-9 pm; dance: 9 pm - 12 am. Dancers have a choice of TWO different pre-dance workshops: choose either an introductory West Coast Swing lesson with Ken Roesel or a Slow Blues lesson with Mike Marcotte and Donna Barker. No partner required for lessons or dance.
Sundays (TBA): "Slow Blues Dance". Held in the Bumper Car Pavilion. Dance and lessons ($17); dance only ($12). Lessons: 7-8:30 pm; dance: 8:30-11 pm. For dancers who want to learn more about slow blues dancing, Mike Marcotte and Donna Barker offer an optional 1 1/2 hour workshop which offers footwork, moves and lead/follow techniques for dancing to slow, blues tunes. No partner required for lessons or dance.
Magical, historical Glen Echo Park! HUGE wooden dance floors, not heated or air conditioned, so dress in layers. Fans in summer, overhead heaters in winter. Pavilion has hundreds of tiny white lights overhead. Ballroom has been magnificently restored. Really cool art deco neon lights at night. Picnic tables outside the dance halls, so you're welcome to bring a picnic. Clean, modern restrooms, water fountains. Historic and magnificently restored carousel, $1/ride, seasonal/limited hours. Cafe with drinks and some food, seasonal/limited hours. No admission to park, admission to dances.
Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, MD 20812
(301) 634-2260
www.glenechopark.org
www.dancedc.com
Mark your calendar and keep checking back for more dates!
"These guys play blues for grown-ups." - Bill Kirchen.
Show Schedule
| Thursday, July 29, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, August 05, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Saturday, August 07, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| 1st Sat. @ DC's only blues club w/great food, blues-loving crowd, across from Zoo w/Big Boy Little, 2009 Winner DC Blues Challenge! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband, 10pm-2am
more info |
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| Thursday, August 12, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, August 19, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, August 26, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, September 02, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Saturday, September 04, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| 1st Sat. @ DC's only blues club w/great food, blues-loving crowd, across from Zoo w/Big Boy Little, 2009 Winner DC Blues Challenge! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband, 10pm-2am
more info |
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| Thursday, September 09, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Saturday, September 11, 2010 |
Delta Blues Juke Joint & Diner |
Waldorf, MD |
| Finalist (Top 11)@ Int'l Blues Challenge, Memphis, TN! Down home blues w/GREAT southern style food/desserts-come hungry & bring friends! www.deltabluesjukejoint.com www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, September 16, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Saturday, September 18, 2010 |
Bare Bones Grill and Brewery |
Ellicott City, MD |
| 9 pm, free, "This guy's a real blues player"-Huey Lewis, 2009 Winner DC Blues Challenge, great food/brews, 1/2$ apps after 9 pm, nice restaurant, fun blues-loving crowd! www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, September 23, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, September 30, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Saturday, October 02, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| 1st Sat. @ DC's only blues club w/great food, blues-loving crowd, across from Zoo w/Big Boy Little, 2009 Winner DC Blues Challenge! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband, 10pm-2am
more info |
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| Thursday, October 07, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Saturday, October 09, 2010 |
Delta Blues Juke Joint & Diner |
Waldorf, MD |
| Finalist (Top 11)@ Int'l Blues Challenge, Memphis, TN! Down home blues w/GREAT southern style food/desserts-come hungry & bring friends! www.deltabluesjukejoint.com www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, October 14, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, October 21, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, October 28, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, November 04, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Saturday, November 06, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| 1st Sat. @ DC's only blues club w/great food, blues-loving crowd, across from Zoo w/Big Boy Little, 2009 Winner DC Blues Challenge! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband, 10pm-2am
more info |
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| Thursday, November 11, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Saturday, November 13, 2010 |
Delta Blues Juke Joint & Diner |
Waldorf, MD |
| Finalist (Top 11)@ Int'l Blues Challenge, Memphis, TN! Down home blues w/GREAT southern style food/desserts-come hungry & bring friends! www.deltabluesjukejoint.com www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, November 18, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Saturday, November 20, 2010 |
Bare Bones Grill and Brewery |
Ellicott City, MD |
| 9 pm, free, "This guy's a real blues player"-Huey Lewis, 2009 Winner DC Blues Challenge, great food/brews, 1/2$ apps after 9 pm, nice restaurant, fun blues-loving crowd! www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, November 25, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Thursday, December 02, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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| Saturday, December 04, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| 1st Sat. @ DC's only blues club w/great food, blues-loving crowd, across from Zoo w/Big Boy Little, 2009 Winner DC Blues Challenge! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband, 10pm-2am
more info |
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| Thursday, December 09, 2010 |
The Zoo Bar |
Washington, DC |
| Open blues jam, 8:30pm hosted by Big Boy Little Band - local blues talent, great food, blues-loving crowd! www.zoobardc.com www.myspace.com/bigboylittleband www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
more info |
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30 Show Dates