Topsy 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.
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.
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 for the Delta Steamboat Company on their cruise lines 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 (vol. 1&2), Jeanette Kimball, Lars Edegran, Jim Cullum Jazz Band, New Orleans Rascals from Japan, and Nicholas Payton. She has performed with the most talented 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, 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.
Ms. Chapman has charmed and endeared herself to crowds all over the world with her authentic style and clear melodious voice. To hear her is a pure delight for people of all ages.
