The Band
tower of power
Emilio Castillo
Emilio Castillo plays second tenor sax, as well as providing background and lead vocals. Emilio was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 24, 1950 and is of Mexican and Greek parentage.
Stephen ("Doc") Kupka
Stephen "Doc" Kupka is not only a founding member of Tower of Power, but along with Emilio Castillo has written most of the TOP song catalog. His baritone sax is an integral part of TOP's sound.
David Garibaldi
David Garibaldi is TOP's drummer. "DG" was selected as the Modern Drummer Reader’s Roll 2007 – Best Traditional R&B Drummer. He started playing drums in the Pleasanton Elementary School band, then, during his senior year of high school, he joined the Sid Reis Big Band, his first “pro” gig. His journey with TOP started in 1970, in Lake Tahoe, California. He credits James Campana, Eugene Graves, Chuck Brown, Murray Spivack and Sandy Feldstein for helping him to become the person he is today.
Roger Smith
Roger Smith is the keyboard player for TOP, and covers background vocals as well. Whether the song calls for piano, clavinet, strings, a synth sound, whatever, Roger is right there. He especially shines on the organ parts that are such an important part of TOP's past and present sound. Roger is in a select group of true Hammond B-3 artists, and his solo work is always superb.
Tom E. Politzer
Tom E. Politzer is TOP's lead tenor sax player. Tommy fills that role totally, not only as an outstanding soloist, but also as a part of the five piece Tower of Power horn section.
Adolfo Acosta
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA, Adolfo has been a member of Tower Of Power since July of 2000 playing the second trumpet and flugelhorn parts. Prior to joining TOP he was a member of the famed University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band and also spent two years on the road touring with jazz trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson.
Jerry Cortez
Jerry Cortez joined Tower of Power in January of 2010. His funky rhythm style and blazing leads are a perfect fit for TOP, and the fans are hitting the message board with many compliments.
Marc van Wageningen
Marc “VW” became a full-time member of Tower of Power in 2018. Born and raised in Amsterdam, Holland, Marc started playing bass guitar at the age of 16. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1980 and started playing with jazz greats Eddie Marshall, George Marshall, Larry Schneider and Mel Martin.
Dave Richards
Born in England and raised in the San Francisco bay area, Dave Richards received his degrees in music from the University of North Texas. He is now a freelance brass player and arranger located in Los Angeles, CA.
Jordan John
Lead vocalist & multi-instrumental sensation Jordan John is a more powerful, polished & accomplished musician than many players twice his age. Adept on drums, keyboards, guitar and bass, he is a uniquely diverse & refined sonic embodiment of sheer talent & pure artistry.
In Memoria Of…
Francis Rocco Prestia
This life is such an amazing process. I’ve been blessed on so many levels, I can’t count them all. My talent isn’t for me to define – that’s a job for other people. But they better do it fast – I may not live long enough! (Laughs.) Being a so-called ”legend,” well that’s flattering and all but believe me, I don’t spend a lot of energy thinking about it! (Laughs.) A lot of guys tell me, ‘I know all your licks.’ And I’ll tell them, ‘That’s nice, now learn your own!’ My thing has always been to steal and incorporate, then take those influences -- Motown, James Brown, Memphis – to another level.