Happy Birthday Lester Bowie

[Chuck Nessa]

[JSngry]

God, I miss that guy. Heard him a few times, never knew him, but still...just knowing that such a spirit was alive and walking the earth gave me joy.

I look at so many of the sprints walking the earth today and...any number of thousands - millions - of them combined do not contain the truth & beauty & wisdom & all the other ingredients for joy as did the one Lester Bowie.

At some rapidly approaching point, that will no longer matter. But that doesn't make it any less true. If anything, it makes it all the more true.

Keep it alive, by any means necessary.

[jlhoots]

One of the greatest.

Miss hearing new music from him.

[Hot Ptah]

The world became more dull when Lester Bowie passed away. He had a unique sound, style and approach to music, as opposed to the mere technicians who couldn't approach his creativity. Jazz took a big hit when he died.

[paul secor]

Thanks for posting the clip, Chuck. And for letting us hear some Lester B. - needed that today.

And almost forgot - Happy Birthday, Mr. Bowie!

Edited October 11, 2010 by paul secor

[AndrewHill]

He was definintely one of the most creative voices in jazz. Such a tragic loss to the music community in general. Got to meet him once after an astonishing lecture he gave while I was in college and man, what an impression he left on me (he even wore the lab coat). I think I'll spin Tribute to Lester in his honor today.

edit: how could I forget, Happy Birthday!

Edited October 11, 2010 by Holy Ghost

[PHILLYQ]

I saw him play twice and both were quite memorable. The first was with Brass Fantasy, and I believe they covered 'My Way' that night1 What a powerhouse group, a bunch of brass and Philip Wilson on drums(WOW!!!)

The second was with an adhoc group lester put together called the 'Hip-Hop Feelharmonic' that had a huge brass section, huge woodwind section, strings and about 4 drummers. It had to be about 30-35 pieces altogether, and they swung like mad. Once the bamd was properly revved up he brought out a half dozen rappers to great effect. Crowd went wild and I kept thinking that you'd never hear anything like this on the radio, it busted too many barriers. HB Lester, and thanks so much.

[Chuck Nessa]

The video reminds me of a phone call from Lester. He'd just heard about the murder of Cosby's son and asked me to send a copy of the Art Ensemble's People In Sorrow to Bill.

Sweet and sad memories today.

[Hoppy T. Frog]

The video reminds me of a phone call from Lester. He'd just heard about the murder of Cosby's son and asked me to send a copy of the Art Ensemble's People In Sorrow to Bill.

Sweet and sad memories today.

So Cosby likes the Art Ensemble but not Anthony Braxton?

[sidewinder]

Very fond memories of the Brass Fantasy. Saw him just the once but it was a great night. The late Philip Wilson was on stage that evening too. Two musicians who are very much missed !

[JohnS]

Unforgetable and deeply missed. I was fortunate to see him several times with various groups. But it was the electic atmosphere evident at the first UK AEOC concert that first come to mind when I hear Lester.

[Hoppy T. Frog]

Lester Bowie now has a mural in Frederick, Maryland:

 

https://www.fredericknewspost.com/music-is-medicine-new-downtown-frederick-mural-honors-jazz-legend-and-native-son/article_73d0b50a-e545-564f-aaa8-5b7811b8fbd4.html

[ctuck1]

I’ve always felt like Lester was the spiritual heir to Cootie Williams.

[clifford_thornton]

On 12/5/2020 at 5:48 PM, Hoppy T. Frog said:

Lester Bowie now has a mural in Frederick, Maryland:

 

https://www.fredericknewspost.com/music-is-medicine-new-downtown-frederick-mural-honors-jazz-legend-and-native-son/article_73d0b50a-e545-564f-aaa8-5b7811b8fbd4.html

that's really cool.

[Rabshakeh]

On 11/10/2010 at 11:21 PM, PHILLYQ said:

The second was with an adhoc group lester put together called the 'Hip-Hop Feelharmonic' that had a huge brass section, huge woodwind section, strings and about 4 drummers. It had to be about 30-35 pieces altogether, and they swung like mad. Once the bamd was properly revved up he brought out a half dozen rappers to great effect. Crowd went wild and I kept thinking that you'd never hear anything like this on the radio, it busted too many barriers. HB Lester, and thanks so much.

Did this group ever record?