"Tower of Power - JADD Straubing (4804714924)" by Avarty Photos from Straubing, Deutschland - Tower of Power. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Tower of Power
This is a cache dedicated to the magnificent American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, performing since 1968 until today. This is my all time favorite band!
They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section and precisely syncopated bass-guitar lines. There have been multiple lead vocalists, the most well-known being Lenny Williams, who fronted the band between early 1973 and late 1974, the period of their greatest commercial success. Their highest-charting songs include "You're Still a Young Man", "So Very Hard to Go", "Soul With a Capital S", "Soul Vaccination", "What Is Hip?", and "Don't Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)".
Tower of Power still tours extensively today, although there have been many changes in personnel over the years. At least 60 musicians have toured or recorded with the band over their 40-plus-year existence. These include current Saturday Night Live musical director/saxophonist Lenny Pickett, drummer David Garibaldi, bassist Francis "Rocco" Prestia, organ master Chester Thompson, saxophonists Richard Elliot and Euge Groove, and guitarist Bruce Conte.
The Tower of Power horn section has gained renown as a separate entity to much critical acclaim. They have appeared on a number of other artists' recordings. Performers supported by the Tower of Power horns include electric slap bass guitarist Larry Graham's Graham Central Station, The Monkees, Grateful Dead, Santana, Elkie Brooks, Cat Stevens (on his Foreigner Suite), Luis Miguel, Elton John, Linda Lewis, rad. (Rose Ann Dimalanta), Jermaine Jackson, John Lee Hooker, Helen Reddy, Rufus, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Mickey Hart, Heart, Damn Yankees, Huey Lewis and the News, Frankie Valli, Spyro Gyra, KMFDM, Lyle Lovett, Poison, Phish, Toto, Pharoahe Monch, Brothers Johnson, Sam The Band, and Aerosmith, among many other acts.
Current members
- Emilio Castillo - Tenor saxophone, vocals
- Stephen 'Doc' Kupka - Baritone saxophone
- Francis 'Rocco' Prestia - Bass
- David Garibaldi - Drums
- Roger Smith - Keyboards, vocals
- Sal Cracchiolo - Trumpet
- Adolfo Acosta - Trumpet, flugelhorn
- Ray Greene - Lead vocals
- Tom Politzer - Tenor saxophone
- Jerry Cortez - Guitar, vocals
More information about past members and discography can be found on Wikipedia.
Some of their songs, worth listening to:
Complete concert, Estival Jazz Lugano 2010
Complete concert, Leverkusener Jazztage 2012
"Me & Mrs Jones"
"Squib cakes"
"TOP Buffalo" by De-fexxx666 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons.
Source: Wikipedia.