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Topsy Chapman grew up in
Kentwood, Louisiana. She became
partial to music at an early age
due to the fact that her father was
a vocal music instructor. After
high school she moved to New
Orleans where she developed a
gospel group, The Chapmans,
which performed at the New
Orleans Jazz Festival, for many
clubs and organizations in and
around the New Orleans area,
and also for German radio in
Cologne and Bohn Germany. She
composed and arranged original
material for the group.
Kentwood, Louisiana. She became
partial to music at an early age
due to the fact that her father was
a vocal music instructor. After
high school she moved to New
Orleans where she developed a
gospel group, The Chapmans,
which performed at the New
Orleans Jazz Festival, for many
clubs and organizations in and
around the New Orleans area,
and also for German radio in
Cologne and Bohn Germany. She
composed and arranged original
material for the group.
As one of the original cast members of the of Broadway hit One Mo’ Time, Topsy Chapman
gained national and international recognition. The show played New York’s Village Gate, London’s
West End and toured most of Europe. The cast album was nominated for a Grammy. Topsy
constructed the vocal harmony arrangements for the show. She was also cast as Elenora in the
production of Staggerlee, which played at the New Orleans’ Toulouse Street Theatre.
Ms. Chapman has toured all of Europe, Asia and Australia, including France, Germany, Holland,
Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, England, Spain, Bermuda, the
Bahamas, Finland, Denmark, and Norway. In addition, she has traveled the Americas and Canada
performing gospel, traditional and Dixieland Jazz. She has performed on Mississippi paddle-wheel
steamboats for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and has toured with the Magnolia Jazz Band and
the Blues Serenaders, with whom she recorded. She has also recorded with artist such as Willie
Humphrey, Chester Zardis, Alvin Stardust, Geoff Bull, Louie Nelson, Fred Coleman, Orange Kellin,
The New Orleans Jazz Ladies, Jeanette Kimball, Lars Edegran, The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, New Orleans
Rascals from Japan, and Nicholas Payton. She has performed with Butch Thompson, Dick Hyman, Herb
Ellis and Bob Haggart.
She performed for the Democratic Party, the Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh and
appeared on Australia's Midday show. She has also appeared on several occasions on Garrison Keillor's
A Prairie Home Companion.
In addition, Topsy has appeared in publications such as Time, Ebony and Jet magazines and has
received rave reviews in the New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, Variety, Times
Picayune, and Lagniappe publications. She recently toured Japan with her group the Chapman Singers,
currently known as Solid Harmony and John Brunious’ Jazz Band. P.S. Topsy Chapman can often be
heard on the Riverwalk programs with the Jim Cullum JB and sings like a dream.
Article Courtesy Jim Cullum’s Riverwalk
gained national and international recognition. The show played New York’s Village Gate, London’s
West End and toured most of Europe. The cast album was nominated for a Grammy. Topsy
constructed the vocal harmony arrangements for the show. She was also cast as Elenora in the
production of Staggerlee, which played at the New Orleans’ Toulouse Street Theatre.
Ms. Chapman has toured all of Europe, Asia and Australia, including France, Germany, Holland,
Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, England, Spain, Bermuda, the
Bahamas, Finland, Denmark, and Norway. In addition, she has traveled the Americas and Canada
performing gospel, traditional and Dixieland Jazz. She has performed on Mississippi paddle-wheel
steamboats for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and has toured with the Magnolia Jazz Band and
the Blues Serenaders, with whom she recorded. She has also recorded with artist such as Willie
Humphrey, Chester Zardis, Alvin Stardust, Geoff Bull, Louie Nelson, Fred Coleman, Orange Kellin,
The New Orleans Jazz Ladies, Jeanette Kimball, Lars Edegran, The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, New Orleans
Rascals from Japan, and Nicholas Payton. She has performed with Butch Thompson, Dick Hyman, Herb
Ellis and Bob Haggart.
She performed for the Democratic Party, the Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh and
appeared on Australia's Midday show. She has also appeared on several occasions on Garrison Keillor's
A Prairie Home Companion.
In addition, Topsy has appeared in publications such as Time, Ebony and Jet magazines and has
received rave reviews in the New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, Variety, Times
Picayune, and Lagniappe publications. She recently toured Japan with her group the Chapman Singers,
currently known as Solid Harmony and John Brunious’ Jazz Band. P.S. Topsy Chapman can often be
heard on the Riverwalk programs with the Jim Cullum JB and sings like a dream.
Article Courtesy Jim Cullum’s Riverwalk
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