Bio series to feature Zapp, Troutmans

SCC Jazz Ensemble and Gene Walker Quartet to play in Dayton this week.


How to go

What: “An Evening of Jazz” with the Sinclair Community College Jazz Ensemble

When: 7:30 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 24

Where: Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2 of Sinclair Community College campus.

Cost: Free

More information: (937) 512-4580

What: Gene Walker Quartet

When: 8 p.m. to midnight, Fri., Nov. 27

Where: Jazz Central, 2931 E. Third St., Dayton

Cost: $8 in advance, $12 at the door

More information: (937) 245-8130

DAYTON — The 1980s Dayton soul/funk band Zapp and Roger will be featured at 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, in the biographical series “Unsung” on the cable/satellite television network TV One (Channel 217 on Time Warner Cable).

The series about musicians, singers and groups that fell just short of greatness due to circumstance recently featured Cincinnati’s Bootsy Collins.

Roger Troutman, the leader and singer of Zapp, died in 1999 when he was shot in Dayton by his brother and fellow band member, Larry Troutman, who then turned the gun on himself.

Narrated by Gary Anthon Williams, the hour-long program includes interviews with family members Loretta Troutman, Lester Troutman and Terry Troutman and footage shot in Dayton.

Credited as inspiration for West Coast hip hop and G funk, Zapp was known for popularizing the “talk box” and for hits including “More Bounce to the Ounce,” “Dance Floor,” “I Wanna Be Your Man,” “So Ruff So Tuff” and “Computer Love.”

The Troutmans operated a recording studio in West Dayton for many years and financed the construction of homes for low-income residents in the city.

For more information about “Unsung,” go to www.tvoneonline.com.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2377 or tmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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