Banned From Utopia Tour Highlights
In June of 1994, six months after Frank Zappa’s
death, the promoters of the Jazz Open Festival
in Stuttgart, Germany, contacted former members
of Zappa's various touring bands, and asked if
they would perform a tribute concert to
commemorate Frank’s life and unique, prolific
outpouring of creativity that had such a
profound impact on the world of music. Though
the loss of their friend and mentor was still
fresh, the band was thrilled about the idea of
bringing Zappa's music live to the stage once
again.
Many hours of intense rehearsals...
Many hours of intense rehearsals were held in
both Los Angeles and Stuttgart. It was a
powerhouse ensemble, including players whose
history with Zappa ranged from the early '70's
right up through the '88 band, which was Zappa's
final live touring band.
In July 1994, the Band From Utopia, as they were
now called, headlined the Jazz Open Festival in
Stuttgart, to highly enthusiastic response. The
concert was recorded on 32 track mobile digital
and also filmed for broadcast on German
television. The result was a live release, Music
of Frank Zappa, which was released on Muffin in
1995. The same year, the group released Band
From Utopia, Vol. 1, an album which featured
Zappa songs such as Mother People, Chunga's
Revenge and Pound For A Brown.
Maintaining the integrity of the original work
while adding its own input, Band From Utopia
toured throughout Europe and North America,
including performances with the Seattle
Symphony. In 1995, the group released Band From
Utopia, Vol. 2 on Muffin. The group also
released So Yuh Don't Like Modern Art, an album
featuring Frank Zappa instrumentals as well as
five original songs.
Photo Credit René van der Voorden
Photography
Applause and cheers rang out from the audience in
instant recognition...
Applause and cheers rang out from the audience
in instant recognition as the Banned performed
fan favorites like “Inca Roads,” “Black Page,”
“Montana” and “Zomby Woof,” in more than a two
hour set incorporating a well balanced blend of
Zappa music that ranged from fiercely
challenging material to fun, singable melodies.
Comments like the following were offered by
those happy fans that saw one or more shows:
"Brilliant. Extraordinary. Entertaining. All of
these words fit, but none are enough. Even
together they do not begin to describe the
experience Banned From Utopia delivered. All the
musicians were top
notch, featuring vocals from
two of the most powerful voices that ever toured
with Zappa, Ray White and Robert (Bobby) Martin.
Solos, in particular from Albert Wing, who practically brought down the
roof."
Banned From Utopia is vital living proof that
Frank Zappa's compositional efforts and
unconstrained inventiveness will not soon be
forgotten. All these years later, it's the only
band performing Frank's music that boasts such a
wealth of musicians who actually kn
ow what it
was like to perform with Frank, night after
night, year after year.
Banned From Utopia will be on tour to commemorate Frank's
life and music. Their goal is to keep the
spontaneous, adventurous spirit of Frank's music
alive, and to create a vehicle for ongoing
creativity.
Photo
Credit kmgdesign.de
For
upcoming tour
dates and
for ticket and event info click here:
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