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Topaz, New York City’s homegrown soul-trance experience is proud to announce a new lineup and a lengthy new tour in February and March to work it all out. “It’s been difficult to keep the same band together in New York City, with the high cost of living and constant musical, social and chemical distractions,” says Topaz. “But with that over, we’re really ready to take the music into some new directions, from dub to afrobeat and other dance rhythms.”
For Topaz, musical chemistry is the essence of their sound. On a mission to bring progressive jazz back to the dancehall, Topaz blends the spirituality of John Coltrane and Pharaoh Sanders, the rhythmic energy of Fela Kuti, the exploratory element of Miles Davis’ electric period and the soul of Donny Hathaway. Sometimes bombastic, sometimes delicate, but always soulful, Topaz invites you to listen.
Original members – the Austin-born saxophonist Topaz McGarrigle and downtown guitar guru Mark “Tewar” Tewarson – have joined forces with some of the best young musicians in the NYC music scene. The new members include Steph Roberson, ex-drummer for DJ Logic’s jazz- and groove-fueled Project Logic, and synth and Rhodes grandmaster Borahm Lee, who lends his textured, organic stylings to the Topaz sound. Stu Brooks, Borahm’s bandmate over the last few years, lays down the heavy funk on bass.
The February tour will begin with a number of headlining dates throughout the Southeast, before jumping out to San Francisco for a surprise play at the intimate venue Tongue & Groove. From there, the band will join the legendary reggae outfit The Wailers for 18 dates throughout the Northwest and down into Colorado. Back in New York City, the band will close the tour on March 8 with a night of interlocking sets with the Chicago band Umphrey's McGee at the Bowery Ballroom. Complete dates are listed below.
1.30.2003 Starr Hill Charlottesville, VA
1.31.2003 Pour House Raleigh, NC
2.01.2003 Paleo Sun Wilmington, NC
2.02.2003 Paleo Sun Wilmington, NC
2.05.2003 Stella Blue Asheville, NC
2.06.2003 Smith's Atlanta, GA
2.07.2003 Booth Tuscaloosa, AL
2.08.2003 Chelsea's Baton Rouge, LA
2.09.2003 Stubb’s Austin, TX
2.12.2003 Tongue and Groove San Francisco, CA
2.13.2003* Ashland Armory Ashland, OR
2.14.2003* McDonald Theater Eugene, OR
2.15.2003* Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
2.16.2003* Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
2.18.2003* Showbox Seattle, WA
2.19.2003* Wash. St. U. Pullman, WA
2.20.2003* Fat Tuesday’s Spokane, WA
2.21.2003* Big Easy Boise, ID
2.22.2003* Wilma Theatre Missoula, MT
2.23.2003* Emerson Thtr. Bozeman, MT
2.24.2003* Snowking Ballroom Jackson, WY
2.25.2003* Harry-Os Park City, UT
2.27.2003* Boulder Theatre Boulder, CO
2.28.2003* Aggie Thtr. Ft. Collins, CO
3.01.2003 TBD Vail, CO
3.02.2003* Levelz Steamboat, CO
3.03.2003* Double Diamond Aspen, CO
3.04.2003* Conference Cntr. Telluride, CO
3.08.2003 Bowery Ballroom New York, NY
Note: All dates marked with ‘*’ are with The Wailers.
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