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Boston, MA--JAZZ at the Wilbur will present soul/funk band Tower of Power at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre on Wednesday, March 24 at 7:30 PM. Tickets at $45.00 each are available now at all Ticketmaster outlets, at the Wilbur Theatre Box Office [246 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116], on line at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling: 800-745-
Led by super saxophonist Emilio Castrillo and with the piping hot lead vocalist of Larry Braggs, Tower of Power has not lost an ounce of steam in 40 years.
“It makes perfect sense to assume that any band that's been around for more than 40 years is past its prime, so there's no logical explanation for how Tower of Power sounds so tight and invigorating this late in the game,” stated the Seattle Weekly on January 26.
For just over 40 years, Tower of Power has been creating their own kind of soul music. Since 1968, Tower of Power has delivered this unique musical brand to their fans, appearing before sold out crowds as they tour the world each year. Tower’
Tower's rhythm section lays down a groove like no other band. The band’s horn-driven sound is unique, and the way they approach everything, from writing and arranging to mixing and performing, is totally their own. Combine all of that with an outstanding lead vocalist and you have one of the most dynamic groups of musicians to ever hit the stage.
Tower of Power's 40 year odyssey began in July 1968 when Emilio Castillo met Stephen "Doc" Kupka in Oakland, California. 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 ‘60s. Bands like The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Big Brother, Journey, Cold Blood and others all helped to define the "San Francisco Sound." But, Tower of Power has always claimed Oakland, California as their hometown. Playing area venues and making a name for themselves, Tower's big break was just around the corner.
After playing at a Tuesday night audition at the Fillmore in 1970, Tower was signed to Bill Graham’s San Francisco records and their first album, East Bay Grease, was recorded. All of the compositions were original tunes written by Castillo and Kupka. Their next album, Bump City, was recorded on the Warner Brothers label, and this led to a string of hits and memorable albums that include many of the songs that TOP fans come out in force to hear, even to this day. Over the years, the Tower of Power Horns have recorded with hundreds of artists as diverse as Aerosmith, Elton John, Little Feat, Phish, Santana, Heart and many others, forever infusing the radio airwaves with Tower’s musical DNA.
Since the beginning, Tower of Power has never stopped touring and recording. Always in demand, the band never fails to entertain and amaze their fans. Tower is truly blessed to have a dedicated following that often travels to see the band, and in many cases fans will plan their vacation or work schedule around an appearance of TOP.
Tower celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2008 at a very special reunion show at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. In addition to the ten current members of the band, another 20 musicians and vocalists that at one time held a position with the band appeared with them. The show was filmed and will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray later this year. Of the ten current members, Emilio Castillo, Rocco Prestia, Stephen Kupka, and David Garibaldi are four of the band’s founding members. With Mic Gillete rejoining the band in August of 2009, there are now 5 original members in the current lineup. Their dedication to the music, their creative writing, and their original vision still guides Tower of Power.
Each year Tower of Power tours the United States, Japan and Europe, playing to sold out crowds all over the world. The band has just released the “Great American Soulbook,” on Top Records, a collection of classic soul tunes, and the 40th Anniversary Concert DVD. Tower has never been busier or more in demand. New generations of fans come to see the band perform as their timeless music continues to excite fans of all ages.
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