Bryan Bowman - Jazz Drummer and Composer » Music Updates

Occupy Oakland

Bryan Bowman — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:36:39 +0000

We made it over to Occupy Oakland on Saturday the 2oth to have a look around and donate some water to the campers at Oscar Grant Plaza, formerly know as Frank Ogawa Plaza.

I don’t believe I’ve seen anything quite like what was going on there. Most of my experience with protests has revolved around anti-war marches, which are often heavily scripted, permitted and planned well in advance. The Occupy movement is none of that!

The Occupy Everywhere phenomenon is a spontaneous outpouring of revolt from every corner of the country, without leaders. It’s a beautiful thing to watch a truly improvised post-march music performance and poetry reading on the makeshift stage in the plaza. each artist waiting their turn but not slated for any given time slot. Dancers joined them on stage at will and were not shoed away. No one was turned away for having unpopular views by groups like MoveOn.org or any of the random socialist groups that tend to place speakers to meet their various agendas. These groups may have had members present but they weren’t selling their wares as far as I could tell.

I must say this probably scares the living shit out of the wealthy and powerful as they peer out from their bunkers. There is no one to bargain with, arrest, neutralize. These people couldn’t care less who you are and much less so if you are an elected official. They, and we are taking over don’t you know? We let you try to fix it and you proved you had no interest in doing so and now you are totally irrelevant and need to move aside so the important work of rebuilding a destroyed society can begin.

My favorite picture from the day was this one of the decorated Civic Center building in Oscar grant plaza. Pure beauty expressed by the concerned citizens of Oakland and vicinity.

Homespun Trio – Grant Levin, Fred Randolph and Bryan Bowman

Bryan Bowman — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:22:21 +0000

The jazz trio Homespun has just released a cd of original material and some standards as well as some rock tunes you will recognize.

The group features Grant Levin on piano, Fred Randolph on bass and Bryan Bowman (or me) on drums.

We are very happy to say it is for sale but for now you will need to email me to get a copy. bryanlbowman at gmail.com

The cost including shipping is $15

Stay tuned for more information about this group! We will definitely be performing together in the Bay Area soon!

Occupy Wall Street – SF

Bryan Bowman — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:43:38 +0000

The protest on Wednesday in SF’s financial district drew at least 1,000 people. I was one of them for what it’s worth and I did get to do a brief call in interview with Gil Gross on KGO.

Here’s the Interview on KGO with Gil Gross

Next week it’s your turn! Find out what you need to know at www.occupysf.com

Mark Levine Trio – Mount Shasta Brewery

Bryan Bowman — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 05:05:46 +0000

On Saturday October 8th and Sunday October 9th I’m very happy to be a part of two very special jazz trio performances with pianist Mark Levine and bassist Greg Daugelli at the Mount Shasta Brewery in the town of Weed, California.

These are two of my favorite musicians on the planet and I’m sure it will be a great weekend of music.

I have known Mark since 1991 and have played with him off and on ever since. he is a very fine musician and literally wrote the book on jazz piano. His Jazz Piano book has won international acclaim all over the world.

Greg Daugelli is a fabulous bass player and multi-instrumentalist who lives in Chico California. I have played with him since the early 80′s and definitely owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his encouragement and inspiration over the years.

Please come to the concert if you are in the area!

Mark Levine Concert Flyer – PDF

Mactet – Change of Venue Friday August 12th

Bryan Bowman — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 05:43:03 +0000

If you’re free this weekend I’ll be playing with a fun group in
Berkeley tomorrow night at Cafe Yesterday at 1122 University Ave. We were going to play at Birdland but the city shut that venue down apparently.

It’s a really great band led by Chuck Mackinnon featuring:

Chuck – trumpet and arrangements, Eric Crystal – alto sax, Bob
Kenmotsu – tenor sax, Matt Clark – piano, Fred Randolph – bass, me -
drums.

Come by if you can! Here are the details.

Friday, August 12th – 8:00PM.
Cafe Yesterday at 1122 University Ave.
(323) 632-9289.

For more info on my upcoming gigs - http://www.bryanlbowman.com/calendar/

Chuck MacKinnon’s website - http://mactet.com/

More about Birdland Events -
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Birdland-Jazz-and-BBQ/120845071297489

Here’s a map to Cafe Yesterday -
http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=1122+University+Ave,Berkeley,US

Chuck MacKinnon Mactet

Bryan Bowman — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:52:22 +0000

I have a couple of fun gigs coming up with the Chuck MacKinnon Mactet. Chuck is a very fine trumpet player and composer who recently moved back to the Bay Area from NYC. It’s a great group and it’s a pleasure to play with these musicians! See the Performances page for more details.

July 31st Benecia Jazz Festival 1:15 – 2:30

Friday, August 12 @ Birdland in Berkeley 11pm-1am

Chuck MacKinnon Mactet

Chuck MacKinnon – TRUMPET AND ARRANGEMENTS
Eric Crystal – ALTO SAXOPHONE
Bob Kenmotsu – TENOR SAXOPHONE
Mark Levine – PIANO
Peter Barshay – BASS
Bryan Bowman – DRUMS

New CD Release – Hawkeye

Bryan Bowman — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 05:51:19 +0000

I’m very happy to say that I have a brand new CD release which was a collaboration with Sam Bevan, Mas Koga and Grant Levin. We’ve just received the final cds and will soon have them up on itunes and cd baby for purchase!

The musicians are:
Sam Bevan – bass
Mas Koga – sax, flutes
Grant Levin – piano
Bryan Bowman – drums

The CD was recorded at San Pablo Recorders by Bond Bergland. It was mixed at Spliggetyfidge records by Kevin Weber and mastered By Sam Bevan at Bev’s Lair Studios.

Our CD Release date will be announced soon! In the mean time you can listen to samples by clicking play on the Reverb Nation player on the right side of this page.

The cd cover is actually from a painting by the great bay Area artist, Yvette Buiguess.

For more information about this release and for booking send me an email.

2009 Harmonica Summit

Bryan Bowman — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:33:58 +0000

There’s some new video just out of this fun project I was involved in last year lead by Slim Heilpern. I wanted to share it with folks and hope you enjoy this take of Sandu! There are more clips and info about the Jazz Harmonica Summit here.

Robert Bowman Piano Recital

Bryan Bowman — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:46:16 +0000

Robert Bowman Piano Recital at Hollis Street Loft

We had a very nice turnout for our house concert January 30 featuring the one and only Robert Bowman. He played an evening of Beethoven sonatas beautifully and from memory no less. We love doing music events and hope to continue to hold them occasionally.

Find out a lot more about Robert Bowman at www.robertebowman.com

Sheldon Brown Group at Yoshis Lounge in San Francisco

Bryan Bowman — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:08:09 +0000

I wanted to say that I’m very excited to be part of this performance on January 6th with the Sheldon Brown Group! The music is really cool and very challenging and this is a rather rare occasion where Sheldon gets to perform his own compositions.

Nothing like getting your ass kicked so thoroughly you actually feel good about it. These guys play at such a high level that I am really sweating to get the music together but I was lucky to have had some time to internalize the unusual meters and the harmonic depth of Sheldon’s music.

Wish me luck! And please come hear us! I would be nice to have a good crowd for this one!