Napoleon Murphy Brock
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Napoleon Murphy Brock is an American singer, saxophonist and flautist who is best known for his work with Frank Zappa in the 1970s, including the albums One Size Fits All, Roxy and Elsewhere, and Bongo Fury. His own most memorable vocal accomplishments are illustrated on Village of the Sun and Florentine Pogen.
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[edit] Career
Napoleon Murphy Brock's numerous performances include the role of the "Evil Prince" on Zappa's Thing-Fish album. He has also performed with George Duke, Captain Beefheart and more recently with Neonfire and Robert Kramer. He remains a regular performer at Zappanale.
Brock appeared in the 2005 film Rock School, a documentary about The Paul Green School of Rock Music, an extracurricular music program that he and Project/Object have closely supported for several years.
In 2006, he toured with Frank Zappa's son Dweezil on the latter's Zappa Plays Zappa shows. He also regularly tours with fellow Zappa alumnus Ike Willis and others with Andre Cholmondeley's Project/Object. Other Zappa related projects he's been involved with include the Tampa, Florida based band Bogus Pomp, and the 16 piece Ed Palermo Big Band from New York City.
He is most frequently seen fronting the Grande Mothers Re:Invented(the only Frank Zappa alumni from the Mothers of Invention, consistently performing the music of Frank Zappa, with Roy Estrada, and Don Preston. They have over 91 performances since 2002.
His own most recent release is the 2003 album Balls.
NAPOLOEON MURPHY BROCK - vocals, tenor saxophone, flute, suavenicity, dancing NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK is best known for his work with musical genius, Frank Zappa. During the early 70’s through the mid 80’s his incredible voice, saxophone and flute playing and dynamic stage showmanship took the Zappa material to a higher level of artistry and fan appreciation. Following his Zappa tenure he joined George Duke’s Ensemble. His first solo CD, "Balls", released in 2002, was produced during the interim of his work with these two gifted musicians.
He is featured in the 2005 critically acclaimed film documentary, "Rock School" about the Paul Green School of Rock based in Philadelphia. Two of Napoleon’s original songs from "Balls", "Steady Freddy", and "Patience" made their film debut at this time.Napoleon has made over 100 recordings with various musicians.
He reunited with former Zappa Mother’s Of Invention alumni to perform as the "Grande Mothers", and tours the U.S. with Zappa tribute band, Project Object. In addition to appearing at the annual Zappanale festivals #14, 15, and 16 in Bad Doberan, Germany he tours frequently in Europe with a variety of bands including:2004 performances with: Sheik Yer Bouti of Germany, The Grand Wazoo of Italy, Metropolis Orchestra of Italy, Virtuosi Orchestra of Abbadia San Salvatore, Italy.
Other European performances have included the following:November 2004, "Oosterpoort" with Michael Brostlap and the Metropole Orkfest in Groningen, The Netherlands.June 2004, Umea Internationella Kammarmusik Festival with Mike Keneally and Friends. The Umea Chamber Music Ensemble debuted his classical arrangement of original composition, "Patience" conducted by Kristjan Jarvi and arranged by Tom Trapp.
April 2004, "Absolute Zappa" with Kristjan Jarvis and the Absolute Ensemble at the Barbican in London, England.June 2003, performed at The Umea Internationella Kammarmusik Festival with Denny Walley, former Zappa band member and Ed Palermo Big Band Zappa. In April 2006 members of the Grande Mothers joined Napoleon as Kristjan Jarvi conducts the Norwegian Symphony Orchestra in Igor Stravinsky’s, "The Soldier’s Tale". Napoleon plays the part of the devil, Roy Estrada, the narrator, and Don Preston, the soldier.
In 2006 the Grande Mothers Re:Invented also performed at numerous festivals throughout Canada as well as the Sarajevo Jazz Festival. The GMRS just returned from a 13 day tour of England.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo albums
| Year | Album | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Balls | Flute, Piano, Keyboards, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Vocals, Whistle (Human), Producer, Harmony Vocals, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizer Bass, Screams |
[edit] Appearances on Zappa albums
| Year | Album | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Apostrophe (') | Saxophone, Vocals |
| 1974 | Roxy & Elsewhere | Tenor Sax, Flute, Lead Vocals, Co-writer of Dummy Up |
| 1975 | One Size Fits All | Flute and Tenor Sax, Lead Vocals on Florentine Pogen and Andy, background vocals on other tunes |
| 1975 | Bongo Fury | Saxophone, Vocals |
| 1976 | Zoot Allures | Saxophone, Vocals |
| 1979 | Sleep Dirt | Saxophone |
| 1979 | Sheik Yerbouti | Saxophone, Vocals, Background Vocals |
| 1984 | Them or Us | Guitar, Saxophone, Vocals, Harmony Vocals |
| 1984 | Thing-Fish | Saxophone, Vocals, Cast |
| 1988 | You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Volume 1 | Saxophone, Vocals |
| 1988 | You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Volume 2 | Saxophone, Vocals |
| 1989 | You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Volume 3 | Saxophone, Vocals |
| 1991 | You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Volume 4 | Saxophone, Vocals |
| 1991 | You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Volume 6 | Saxophone, Vocals |
| 1995 | Strictly Commercial | |
| 1996 | Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa | |
| 1997 | Have I Offended Someone? | |
| 1998 | Cheap Thrills | |
| 1999 | Son of Cheap Thrills |
[edit] External links
- Official Napoleon Murphy Brock website
- Napoleon Murphy Brock at the Internet Movie Database
- Napoleon Murphy Brock at Allmusic
- Panel Discussion: Brown Shoes Don’t Make It – The Music of Frank Zappa with Bill Milkowski, Michael G. Nastos, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ed Palermo, Ralphe Armstrong.
