Jazz Articles about Tower of Power

Ain’t Nothing Stopping Us Now: The Tower Of Power Story

by Jason Elias
January 8, 2024

For over 50 years Tower of Power has been the favorite of those who love R&B/soul, funk and sophisticated jazz. While the band is often known for its revolving door of lead singers, the band's founders, Emilio Castillo (saxophone) and Stephen “Doc" Kupka (baritone sax) have remained their constant. The Bay Area band's first album East Bay Grease was released on Bill Graham's San Francisco Records. The effort became known for its immediately recognizable horn arrangements and energy, especially on ...

Tower of Power at the Paramount Theatre

by Steven Roby
August 15, 2023

Tower of Power Paramount Theatre Denver, CO August 11, 2023 Debuting in 1968 as The Motowns, the gritty horn-led band paid its dues by playing San Francisco Bay Area clubs and county fairs while developing its signature funk style. Their tight horn section and foot-stomping rhythms set them apart from their fellow Bay Area brass rock counterparts, like Cold Blood and the Sons of Champlin. After changing their name to Tower of Power, and with ...

Tower of Power: 50 Years of Funk and Soul

by John Pietaro
April 15, 2021

In the realm of power funk and jazz-rock, Tower of Power was an original voice, one carved from a unique place within an exceptionally heady moment. And this convergence of forces, clearly, has yet to cool some 53 years hence. Horns? They've carried up to six at a time, to hell with diminished door splits. A big band of scorching funk, Tower of Power traces its roots to 1968 Oakland, where it flourished in a thicket of sound ...

Tower Of Power With Special Guests War: Westbury, NY, April 18, 2012

by Mike Perciaccante
May 12, 2012

Tower of Power with Special Guests War NYCB Theatre at Westbury Westbury, New York April 18, 2012 The Funk and Soul were flowing freely as Tower of Power and War both performed virtuoso sets at the NYCB Theater in Westbury, NY on this slightly chilly and overcast April evening.At precisely 8pm, War took the stage to a smattering of claps and a few whistles. It wasn't very long after the band had played a ...

Tower of Power: Great American Soulbook

by Woodrow Wilkins
July 19, 2009

For more than 40 years, Tower of Power has been thrilling audiences with its brassy sound. Whether as a stand-alone act or backing up another group, this 10-piece ensemble has crossed many genres, including blues, pop, jazz, funk, rock and soul. Having worked with such a diversity of acts as Aerosmith and Spyro Gyra, the band has accumulated an extensive repertoire. Now, tapping into a recent trend of artists remaking old hits, Tower of Power puts a slight ...

Tower of Power: Rhythm & Business

by Dave Hughes
November 1, 1997

The band with the world's most famous horn section continues to funk it up after almost 30 years. While the '80s were lean times for TOP, their four albums released so far in the '90s ( Monster on a Leash, T.O.P., Souled Out, and this current release) have been on par with those from their heyday in the mid-'70s.

While Rhythm & Business is a worthwhile addition to T.O.P.'s discography, it doesn't rise to the top. In fact, I think ...