Legendary Dayton funk band Zapp playing rare Dayton concert

Zapp’s first album since 2001 honors the late Roger Troutman

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

One of the biggest bands to emerge from Dayton is releasing a new CD and celebrating it here on stage.

Zapp will celebrate the release of its latest album, "Zapp VII: Roger & Friends," from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 W. Second St. in downtown Dayton.

It is the legendary band’s first album since 2001’s  “Zapp VI: Back by Popular Demand” and is a tribute to the late Roger Troutman.

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Tickets are $29 to $63 and available on TicketCenterStage.com or by calling 937-228-3630 or visiting 14KT CDs and Tapes, 4180 W. Hillcrest Ave, Dayton.

The concert will feature special guest Lyfe Jennings, a Toledo born R&B singer best known for his songs "S.E.X," "Must Be Nice," "Never Never Land" and "Statistics."

The show will be hosted by Dayton-based comedian Mark Gregory. 

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Formed in Dayton in 1978 by the Troutman brothers — Roger, Larry, Lester and Terry ( "Zapp") — Zapp gained fans around the globe with a list of hits that include "More Bounce to the Ounce," "Doo Wa Ditty," "I Can Make You Dance," "Heartbreaker" and "Computer Love."

The band is expected to play new and old songs during its Schuster Center concert, band member Ronald Frost told this news organization.

Zapp took a break following the death of Larry and Roger Troutman nearly 20 years ago.

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Larry Troutman shot his brother and bandmate, talkbox pioneer Roger Troutman outside of Roger Troutman's Dayton music studio as part of a murder-suicide on April 25, 1999.

The band is now fronted by Lester Troutman.

Zapp VII celebrates Roger Troutman's legacy, according to the The Vinyl Factory, an online magazine.

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

It includes posthumous performances from Roger Troutman. The magazine says Snoop Dogg and Bootsy Collins are also featured.

Zapp was in Paris for a show in 2015 when a series of terrorist attacks claimed 137 lives.

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Zapp members were not injured in the attacks and vowed to return to the city.

The band is scheduled to perform at the Le Trabendo in Paris on Nov. 4 as part of its European tour that includes stops in England and France.

WANT TO GO?

What: Zapp The Remix Tour and album release party with Lyfe Jennings.

When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 W. Second St. in downtown Dayton. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $29 to $63 on TicketCenterStage.com or by calling 937-228-3630 or visiting 14KT CDs and Tapes, 4180 W. Hillcrest Ave., Dayton.

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