Wonder Woman of the Week: Topsy Chapman

Topsy Chapman often finds her name in the shadow cast by dozens of male jazz greats, but none of them have managed to become the legend Chapman became in her long career. The singer performed with several ensembles on tour as well as performing as a stage and screen actress in several powerful performances. Chapman was born in Louisiana, not far from New Orleans, and grew up with jazz all around her. During the early years of her career, Chapman performed with the Magnolia Jazz Band, the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, and the Lars Edegran Orchestra. With them, other bands, and as a solo act, the musician performed in several events in and around New Orleans including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Topsy Chapman began her acting work with the musical One Mo' Time set in 1920's New Orleans. The jazz singer then performed in several documentaries on jazz history and New Orleans music. In 2013, Chapman recorded a song for the film 12 Years a Slave and appeared in a cameo role as a spiritual singer during the movie. Chapman and her work have appeared on several records- predominantly in albums dedicated to showcasing the diversity and depth of music from New Orleans and its surrounding area. As with Louis Armstrong in the first half of the 20th Century, Chapman has become a staple of New Orleans music for the second half of the century and continues to be a voice of the ages into the new millennium.