Frank Zappa (1940-1993) was an American composer who immersed himself in his craft with equal parts vision and vigor. Over the course of 80 albums — first as the leader of the Mothers Of Invention and then as a solo artist — Zappa raised the bar in a rock world that spent most of its time embracing the ordinary. His music was fearless, imbued with an impeccable sense of technique, but never, ever at the expense of emotion. Although critics marginalized his music (apparently too busy celebrating the “genius” of the Eagles), and radio stations would rarely play it (lest they thought they would lose the ever-important used-car dealership commercials), Zappa’s work continues to defy any calendar thrown at it.

 

To that end, Dweezil Zappa is becoming more proactive in the continued public display of his father’s music for years to come. Zappa Plays Zappa is a seven-person-strong ensemble dedicated to keeping Frank Zappa’s music (aesthetically eight to 10 years ahead of whatever copyright date was printed on the records in the first place) very much alive. Zappa Plays Zappa is the synergistic result of what happens when a vibrant repertoire of music is learned by a stellar band and worshiped by an audience weary of Pro Tools.

 

After he accomplished the wood-shedding needed to realize his goal, Dweezil was faced with the aesthetic considerations of such a large body of work. (Read: Mother, Mary and Joseph! What the hell are we gonna play?) With over 1,000 pieces to choose from, he focused on Frank’s work from the mid- to late-’70s, as well as some personal favorites from his own youth. “It takes a certain snarky delivery of that material and it's difficult to execute it the way Frank did,” reminds Dweezil. “Frank's vocal style is very distinctive and I did not want any of the material we were presenting to seem like a cheap imitation.” He pauses and starts to laugh. “Attitude is everything with this music!”

 

From the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen in California to the stages of theatres and festivals across the globe, Zappa Plays Zappa is prepared once again to respectfully expose new fans to Frank Zappa's extraordinary achievements in music.