{"id":30047,"date":"2026-03-30T23:49:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T23:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skylight.gr\/?p=30047"},"modified":"2026-03-30T23:51:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T23:51:29","slug":"14-piece-frank-zappa-tribute-announces-southwest-spring-tour-with-zappa-alum-napoleon-murphy-brock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skylight.gr\/index.php\/2026\/03\/30\/14-piece-frank-zappa-tribute-announces-southwest-spring-tour-with-zappa-alum-napoleon-murphy-brock\/","title":{"rendered":"14-PIECE FRANK ZAPPA TRIBUTE ANNOUNCES SOUTHWEST SPRING TOUR WITH ZAPPA ALUM, NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

14-PIECE FRANK ZAPPA TRIBUTE ANNOUNCES SOUTHWEST SPRING TOUR WITH ZAPPA ALUM, NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Stinkfoot Orchestra\u2019s April\u2013May run includes a headline slot at San Diego\u2019s Global Earth Day Festival, first-ever shows in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and a two-night no-repeat Vegas stand<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BAY AREA, CA \u2014 The Stinkfoot Orchestra, a Bay Area-based 14-piece ensemble dedicated to the music of Frank Zappa, will launch a Southwest spring tour beginning April 16, bringing one of rock\u2019s most ambitious catalogs to stages across California, Arizona, and Nevada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fronted by Napoleon Murphy Brock and featuring a history of collaborations with Zappa alumni including Ike Willis and Ray White, the band\u2019s 2026 spring run includes a headline performance at San Diego\u2019s 34th Annual Global Earth Day Festival, first-ever appearances in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and a two-night late-night stand in Las Vegas featuring more than 70 songs with no repeats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Known for combining musical precision with theatrical irreverence, The Stinkfoot Orchestra has built a devoted following on the West Coast by bringing Frank Zappa\u2019s technically demanding music to life through a 14-piece lineup featuring a six-piece horn section, five vocalists, tuned percussion, and a stage show that embraces both the complexity and absurdity of Zappa\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI appreciate the fact that they prepared themselves properly. They learned the music properly, they play the right notes and they are articulate about it. If they weren\u2019t doing it correctly, I wouldn\u2019t show up. The standard is high.\u201d
– Napoleon Murphy Brock, Frank Zappa alumnus and Stinkfoot Orchestra frontman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tour opens at Venice West in Venice Beach on April 16 – a favorite stop both for the band and fans alike where past performances have included sit-ins by several Zappa alumni including Bruce Fowler and Arthur Barrow. Venice is followed by a stop at Spaghetti Western in Morongo Valley on April 17. On April 19, the band will headline the Global Earth Day Festival at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in San Diego\u2019s Balboa Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, the band heads to Arizona for a return to Tucson at 191 Toole on April 22, followed by its first-ever Phoenix performance at The Rhythm Room on April 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The run reaches a peak on April 24 and 25 in Las Vegas, where The Stinkfoot Orchestra will make its Vegas debut with two complete, late-night performances at The Bonfire following Phish\u2019s second weekend at the Sphere. Curated by Cash or Trade, the shows are being billed as two nights of music with no repeated songs between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The band returns home to Northern California to conclude the tour with 3 dates at Cornerstone in Berkeley on April 30, The Boardwalk in Orangevale on May 1, and Lost on Main in Chico on May 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe connection between the musicians is palpable, Chargin making it look easy is an illusion that is the product of countless hours of practice. Even my untrained ears recognize the technical ability required of all the musicians to deliver. \u201d
– Spike Steffenhagen, San Diego Reader (March 2024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe impression left upon driving home from this experience was one of deep appreciation mixed with laughter and amazement. The Stinkfoot Orchestra is more than worthy of your time and money.\u201d
– Ted Silverman, JamBase (September 2021)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TOUR DATES<\/strong>
Apr 16 \u2014 Venice West \u2014 Venice Beach, CA \u2014 8pm
Apr 17 \u2014 Spaghetti Western \u2014 Morongo Valley, CA \u2014 9pm
Apr 19 \u2014 WorldBeat Cultural Center Global Earth Day Festival \u2014 San Diego, CA \u2014 Headlining
Apr 22 \u2014 191 Toole \u2014 Tucson, AZ \u2014 8pm
Apr 23 \u2014 The Rhythm Room \u2014 Phoenix, AZ \u2014 8pm (first-ever Phoenix show)
Apr 24\u201325 \u2014 The Bonfire \u2014 Las Vegas, NV \u2014 11:59pm
(first-ever Las Vegas shows; 2 nights, 4 sets, 2 encores, 70+ songs, no repeats; following Phish Sphere weekend)
Apr 30 \u2014 Cornerstone \u2014 Berkeley, CA \u2014 8pm
May 1 \u2014 The Boardwalk \u2014 Orangevale, CA \u2014 8pm
May 2 \u2014 Lost on Main \u2014 Chico, CA \u2014 9pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABOUT THE STINKFOOT ORCHESTRA<\/strong>
The Stinkfoot Orchestra is a Bay Area-based 14-piece ensemble dedicated to performing the music of Frank Zappa. Featuring a six-piece horn section, five vocalists, tuned percussion, and collaborations with Zappa alumni including Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ike Willis, and Ray White, the group has earned a reputation across the West Coast for performances that bring Zappa\u2019s technically demanding catalog to life with precision, humor, and theatrical flair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EPK: https:\/\/stinkfootorchestra.com\/epk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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