Results for "Tower of Power"

Tower of Power

Active since: 1968

Tower's 40 plus year odyssey actually began in 1968 when Emilio Castillo met Stephen "Doc" Kupka in July of that year. When Doc auditioned during a band rehearsal at Emilio's house, Emilio's father called him into the kitchen and offered the following advice: "Hire that guy, he's got something." Doc and his signature baritone sax sound were now in the band, and on August 13, 1968, Tower of Power, as we know them today, began playing gigs, and soon became very well known in the area.

Many other bands came out of the San Francisco Bay area in the late 60's. Bands like The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Big Brother, Journey, Cold Blood and others all helped to define the "San Francisco Sound." Tower of Power has always claimed Oakland, California as their hometown. Playing area venues and making a name for themselves, Tower of Power's big break was just around the corner.

Building Back Jazz Brick by Brick in East London

by Peter Jones
May 2, 2024

Brick Lane Jazz Festival London April 26-28, 2024 The most innovative and thrilling jazz currently emerging from the UK is centred on a few grimy, narrow streets on the east side of London. The pioneering work that goes on in this elaborately-graffitied neighbourhood has, in recent years, contributed much to the ...

Dean Brown: Global Fusion on Acid

by Jim Worsley
February 3, 2024

In memory of Dean Brown. This interview was first published at All About Jazz on April 23, 2021. From the outset, the equation was simple enough. Jazz + rock = fusion. However, whether it was Miles Davis, Larry Coryell, John McLaughlin, or any of the pioneers of fusion, the music has always been far ...

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 ...

Little Feat: High Wire Act - Live in St. Louis 2003 (2CD/Blu-ray)

by Doug Collette
November 24, 2023

Little Feat High Wire Act -Live in St. Louis 2003 Mercury Studios2023 Little Feat's current personnel lineup has stabilized dramatically in recent years, so it's somewhat of a disappointment High Wire Act: Live in St. Louis 2003 does not depict those positive changes. Nevertheless, the 2CD/Blu-ray package does present an ...

The Brighton Beat at The Peekskill Brewery

by Mike Jurkovic
September 13, 2023

The Brighton Beat Peekskill Brewery Peekskill, NY August 26, 2023 Seemingly never at a loss for a full bore groove or a reason to shake the dust up on the dance floor, the Brighton Beat--a full tilt band of eleven: five horns, two guitars, bass, drums, and two percussionists--took this riverside ...

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 ...

2023 Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival

by Richard Conde
July 12, 2023

Celebrating its 46th anniversary over the June 24th weekend, the 2023 Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs New York, featured a great program presenting a wide range of music. Over 20 featured artist played over two days across two stages with headliner Cindy Blackman Santana taking the Amphitheater stage ...

Take Five With Violinist Jeremy Cohen

by AAJ Staff
May 22, 2023

Meet Jeremy Cohen Jeremy Cohen comes from a family of five musicians. Classically-trained and a student of Itzhak Perlman and Anne Crowden, Cohen's eclectic style reflects his respect for a wide range of violinists from Perlman and Fritz Kreisler to Joe Venuti and Eddie South. He has performed as soloist with numerous orchestras including ...

Take Five with Bob Holz

by AAJ Staff
November 28, 2022

Meet Bob Holz Bob studied at Berklee College of Music with Gary Chaffee andJoe Hunt. He went on to study privately with Billy Cobham. Bob has worked with John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Ralphe Armstrong, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Stanley Clarke, Darryl Jones, Jean-Luc Ponty, Dean Brown, Alex Acuna, Airto Moreira, Ric Fierabracci, Brandon Fields, Chet Catallo, ...