Your guide to the best concerts coming to Memphis in April 2026
From Uncle Charlie’s Cookout to Travis Tritt, CeCe Winans to Jeff Dunham, here are some of the best shows coming to Memphis in April.
Gary Topper has long been one of Memphis’ top horn players. In addition to his jazz credentials, he’s also contributed to recordings by a wide range of pop, rock and R&B stars, including Keith Richards, Al Green, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Nancy Wilson, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald and Jimmy Buffett.
In March, his “little big band” Gary Topper & Symmetry put out a new EP, “Night Shade.” Topper and company will mark the release with a pair of local shows in April and May.
Here’s what to know about the record and concerts in Memphis.
What is Gary Topper’s musical background?
Topper got his start as a teen in the Memphis recording scene working with producer Willie Mitchell, saxophonist Andrew Love and other members of the Memphis Horns. While still a college student, he joined Charlie Rich’s road band and later spent several years with the national touring show, “Elvis, an American Musical.”
In the late 1980s, Topper moved to New York where he played on feature film soundtracks, Broadway shows, record sessions and national jingles, before returning to the Bluff City.
A sought-after arranger, Topper has played on numerous film soundtracks including “You’ve Got Mail,” “Meet Joe Black” and “Analyze This” and recently worked on Memphis director Craig Brewer’s “Song Sung Blue” soundtrack.
As an acclaimed music educator, Topper has held positions at the East Harlem School of Music in New York, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of Memphis and was an NEA Grant recipient serving the Memphis public school system as Jazz Artist in Residence. He currently teaches Master Classes and Ensemble Instruction at the Memphis Jazz Workshop.
What is Gary Topper & Symmetry?
The “Night Shade” EP marks the official debut of Gary Topper & Symmetry, a 10-piece group first founded in 2001 and that has been performing around the Mid-South over the last few years.
Topper noted that the group includes “a collection of highly disciplined ensemble players who also happen to be incredibly gifted soloists.” These veteran players who make up Symmetry include a six-piece brass and reed section along with bass, guitar, keyboard and drums. Topper serves as composer, arranger and producer and is featured on tenor and soprano saxes as well as flute.
Joining him are an all-star crew of musicians that includes trumpeters Marc Franklin (Gregg Allman, Little Feat), Tom Clary (The Four Tops, The Spinners), trombonist Jason Yasinsky (Justin Timberlake, Dr. John), saxophonist Tom Link (Ann Peebles, Jason Isbell), bassist Sylvester Sample (Pat Metheny, Wynton Marsalis), guitarist John Bass (Bobby Rush, Kirk Whalum) pianist Gerald Stephens (Hugh Masekela, Levon Helm) organist Tony Thomas (Al Jarreau, David Sanborn) and drummer Mike Assad (Mulgrew Miller, Charlie Wood), among others.
The “Night Shade” EP will serve as a teaser to a full-length album, “The Bebopper’s Guide to the Galaxy,” that is slated for release later in 2026.
When will Gary Topper & Symmetry play in Memphis?
Gary Topper & Symmetry will be playing a pair of shows from 7-9 p.m. April 7 and May 6 at Midtown venue B-Side, located in Minglewood Hall, 1553 Madison Ave., Suite 101. For more information, go to bsidememphis.com.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.commercialappeal.com ’
