Lester Bowie
By All Music Guide
By All Music Guide
Bowie grew up in St. Louis, playing in local jazz and rhythm & blues bands, including those led by Little Milton and Albert King. Bowie moved to Chicago in 1965, where he became musical director for singer Fontella Bass. There Bowie met most of the musicians with whom he would go on to make his name -- saxophonists Joseph Jarman and Roscoe Mitchell and drummer Jack DeJohnette among them. He was a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and (in 1969) the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Bowies various bands have included From the Root to the Source -- a sort of gospel/jazz/rock fusion group -- and Brass Fantasy, an all-brass, post-modern big band thats become his most popular vehicle. Bowies catholic tastes are evidenced by the bands repertoire; on albums, they have covered a nutty assortment of tunes, ranging from Jimmy Luncefords Siesta for the Fiesta to Michael Jacksons Black and White. Besides his work as a leader and with the Art Ensemble, Bowie recorded as a sideman with DeJohnette, percussionist Kahil Elzabar, composer Kip Hanrahan, and saxophonist David Murray. He was also a member of the mid-80s all-star cooperative the Leaders. Bowies music occasionally leaned too heavily on parody and aural slapstick to be truly affecting, but at its best, a Bowie-led ensemble could open the mind and move the feet in equal measure.
