The Nth Power and a slew of talented guests will honor the music and legacy of The Gap Band with a special tribute concert at New Orleans, LA’s Toulouse Theatre on Friday, April 28th, 2023 [get tickets].
The performance, which corresponds with the first Friday of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, will feature The Nth Power alongside Dumpstaphunk members Ivan Neville (keys, vocals), Tony Hall (bass, guitar, vocals), Alex Wasily (trombone), and Ashlin Parker (trumpet). Trumpeter Aurelién Barnes of The Rumble and keyboardist Amy Bellamy (Sam Kinninger Band, Super Sonic Shorties) round out the lineup. For ticketing information, head here.
For years, The Nth Power’s Nick Cassarino (guitar, vocals), Nikki Glaspie (drums), and Nate Edgar (bass) have used Jazz Fest as a testing ground for homages to their varied influences, from Earth, Wind & Fire (Earth, Wind & Power) to Nirvana (Nth Utero). The band’s 2018 Bob Marley & The Wailers tribute during Jazz Fest—which took place in the same room as this year’s Gap Band show, then known as One Eyed Jacks—was later released as a live album, Rebel Music. In 2019, The Nth Power convened its original lineup (featuring Nigel Hall and Weedie Braimah) and more at the French Quarter venue for a star-studded Jazz Fest tribute to Marvin Gaye (Time To Get It Together).
“We really love doing these annual tributes at Jazz Fest,” Nikki Glaspie told Live For Live Music. “We feel it deepens our knowledge of music by studying the greats. We have fun by giving it ‘The Nth Treatment’ and putting together an unforgettable experience for our fans.”
This year, The Nth Power will focus its Jazz Fest homage on The Gap Band, the Tulsa, OK-native funk/R&B trio comprised of brothers Charlie, Ronnie, and Robert Wilson that rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s with hits like “Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)”, “You Dropped A Bomb On Me”, “Oops Upside Your Head”, “Outstanding”, “Early In The Morning”, and more.
“The Nth Power has wanted to do The Gap Band for years,” Glaspie explained. “We used to listen to them incessantly on long rides in Ron Burgundy (our van). And of course it’s only appropriate to team up with some of the funkiest people I know: my family of Dumpstaphunk.”
The Gap Band – “Burn Rubber On Me”(Live) – 1981
While The Gap Band’s impressive repertoire alone would have been enough to pique The Nth Power’s interest, the group’s goal in spotlighting the work and message of the Wilson brothers goes deeper than the music itself. “As many people know, the mission of The Nth Power is to spread the message of love and healing thru the power of music,” Glaspie explained. “Part of healing is identifying the ailments that have previously been covered up or not talked about. It was surprising to find out in 2021, the 100-year anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre, that many people had never heard about it. The Gap Band is named after the streets Greenwood, Archer, and Pine in the historic Greenwood neighborhood also known as ‘Black Wall Street,’ which is where the massacre took place.”
The drummer added, “We look to honor the music The Gap Band made, raise awareness, and spread healing love while making people dance.”
Pre-sale for tickets to The Nth Power Presents: The Gap Band Tribute are available now using the password GAPBAND. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 10th at 12:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. ET. Scroll down for complete show details.
The Nth Power’s guest-filled tribute to The Gap Band is the latest in an ongoing string of concert announcements as part of Live For Live Music’s annual Fest by Nite series during New Orleans Jazz Fest. Previously announced shows include The Soul Rebels with special guest GZA (Wu-Tang Clan) at Toulouse Theatre (Friday, 4/28); TAUK‘s Parliament-Funkadelic vs. Sly and the Family Stone celebration featuring Kanika Moore, Antwaun Stanley, and The Horn Section at Toulouse Theatre (Saturday, 4/29); The Daze Between Band featuring members of Goose, Dumpstaphunk, The Meters, and more at Tipitina’s (Wednesday, 5/3 – SOLD OUT); and Worship My Organ at The Howlin’ Wolf featuring John Medeski, Adam Deitch, Wil Blades, and Skerik (Saturday, May 6th). Follow L4LM on social media to stay on top of the coming wave of announcements.
Music fans in New Orleans during Jazz Fest can also take part in the fun at Daze Between New Orleans, a two-day music festival at Faubourg Brewery on Tuesday, May 2nd and Wednesday, May 3rd featuring two nights of Goose in addition to performances by Tank and the Bangas, Lawrence, Neal Francis, David Shaw, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Eggy, Melt, Honey Island Swamp Band, J & The Causeways, and The Quickening. A portion of proceeds from the Daze Between New Orleans will benefit New Orleans nonprofit organizations via Rex Foundation. Find ticketing information via the festival website.
***SHOW INFO***
Show: The Nth Power Presents: The Gap Band Tribute ft. Members of Dumpstaphunk, and More
Band: Nikki Glaspie (drums), Nick Cassarino (guitar/vocals), Nate Edgar (bass), Ivan Neville (keyboards/vocals), Tony Hall (bass/vocals), Alex Wasily (trombone), Ashlin Parker (trumpet), Aurelién Barnes (trumpet), Amy Bellamy (keyboards)
Date: Friday, April 28th, 2023 (technically early a.m. April 29th)
Time: Doors 1:00 a.m. / Show 1:45 a.m.
Venue: Toulouse Theatre – 615 Toulouse Street, New Orleans LA 70130
Tickets: General Admission: $30–40 / VIP $70
