Phillip Charles Bowler (born March 2, 1948, New York City) is an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

double-bassist and

radio Radio is the technology of communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 3 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitter connec ...

host A host is a person responsible for guests at an event or for providing hospitality during it. Host may also refer to: Places * Host, Pennsylvania, a village in Berks County * Host Island, in the Wilhelm Archipelago, Antarctica People * ...

Career

Bowler attended the

University of Hartford The University of Hartford (UHart) is a private university in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States. Its main campus extends into neighboring Hartford and Bloomfield. It enrolled approximately 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students as ...

, where he received a bachelor's degree in music in 1972. He played with

Roland Kirk Roland (; ; or ''Rotholandus''; or ''Rolando''; died 15 August 778) was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the Matter of France. The historical Roland was mil ...

from 1976–78, then with

Hugh Masekela Hugh Ramapolo Masekela (4 April 1939 – 23 January 2018) was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as "the father of South African jazz". Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and f ...

(1980),

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(1981),

Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American trumpeter, composer, and music instructor, who is currently the artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has been active in promoting classical and jazz music, often to young ...

(1982–83),

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(1983), Big Nick Nicholas (1983-85),

Slide Hampton Locksley Wellington Hampton (April 21, 1932 – November 18, 2021) was an American jazz trombone, jazz trombonist, composer and arranger. As his nickname implies, Hampton's main instrument was slide trombone, but he also occasionally played tub ...

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(1984–89), and

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(1987-1996). He played in a quintet with

Donald Harrison Donald Harrison Jr. (born June 23, 1960) is an American jazz saxophonist and the Big Chief of The Congo Square Nation Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group from New Orleans, Louisiana. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Berklee College of M ...

and

Terence Blanchard Terence Oliver Blanchard (born March 13, 1962) is an American jazz trumpeter and composer. He has also written two operas and more than 80 film and television scores. Blanchard has been nominated for two Academy Awards for Original Score for ''B ...

in 1984–85, touring in Europe with

Benny Golson Benny Golson (January 25, 1929 – September 21, 2024) was an American bebop and hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He came to prominence with the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie, more as a writer than a p ...

. He recorded with

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in 1988 and

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in 1989, and led a quartet called Pocket Jungle in 1991. From 1990 to 1997 he played in another group led by Donald Harrison and worked with

Jackie McLean John Lenwood McLean (May 17, 1931 – March 31, 2006) was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator. He is one of the few musicians to be elected to the ''DownBeat'' Hall of Fame in the year of their death. Bio ...

in 1997–99. He and

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played in a duo in 1997, and in 1998 he worked in the

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...

Orchestra. Bowler hosted ''Jazz Adventures'' on WPKN radio in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and performed with

Artt Frank Artt Frank (March 9, 1933 – November 27, 2024) was an American jazz drummer specializing in the bebop, hard bop, and cool jazz styles. He is best known for having toured with trumpet player Chet Baker during much of his career. Life and caree ...

and Mike Armando from 1981–2011. In 2002 Bowler hosted the MJA Jazz & Blues Festival at Lake Grove, Long Island, New York.

Discography

As leader

* ''Pocket Jungle'' (Zoho, 2014)

As sideman

With Artt Frank & Pat Morrissey * ''Waltz for Sharon Stone'' (MJA, 1997) * ''Souvenir'' (MJA, 1999) With

* ''Nascence'' (CBS, 1986) * ''Discernment'' (King, Concord Jazz 1986) * ''Indian Blues'' (Candid, 1992) With

Rahsaan Roland Kirk Rahsaan Roland Kirk (born Ronald Theodore Kirk; August 7, 1935Kernfeld, Barry.Kirk, Roland" ''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'', 2nd ed. Ed. Barry Kernfeld. ''Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Grove Music Online''. ''Grove Dictionary of M ...

* ''Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real'' (Warner Bros., 1978) * ''Paris 1976'' (Royal Jazz, 1990) * ''Simmer, Reduce, Garnish and Serve/The Warner Bros. Recordings'' (Warner Archives, 1995) With Ralph Peterson * ''V'' (Blue Note, 1988) * ''Triangular'' (Blue Note, 1989) * ''Volition'' (Blue Note, 1990) * ''Art'' (Blue Note, 1993) With others *

Cherish the Ladies Cherish the Ladies is an American female super group that plays Celtic music. The band began as a concert series in New York in January 1985. It was the brainchild of Mick Moloney who wanted to showcase the brightest female musicians in Amer ...

, ''The Girls Won't Leave the Boys Alone'' (Windham Hill, 2001) *

Dr. John Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. His music combined New Orleans blues, jazz, R&B, soul and funk. Active as a session mus ...

, ''Funky New Orleans'' (Metro, 2000) *

, ''Into the Faddisphere'' (Epic, 1989) *

Lightnin' Hopkins Samuel John "Lightnin'" Hopkins (March 15, 1912 – January 30, 1982) was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional pianist from Centerville, Texas. In 2010, ''Rolling Stone'' magazine ranked him No. 71 on its li ...

, ''Lightnin's Boogie'' (Justin Time, 2016) *

Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis (born August 26, 1960) is an American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ens ...

, ''Scenes in the City'' (Columbia, 1984) *

, ''Think of One'' (CBS, 1983) *

, ''Fire & Love'' (Somethin' Else, 1997) * Big Nick Nicholas, ''Big and Warm'' (India Navigation, 1983) *

, '' Live at Vielharmonie'' (Soul Note, 1985) *

, ''Crystal Image'' (Stash, 1989) *

, ''Mood Swings'' (Milestone, 1988)

References

*Gary W. Kennedy, "Phil Bowler". '' Grove Jazz'' online. {{DEFAULTSORT:Bowler, Phil 1948 births Living people Musicians from New York (state) University of Hartford alumni 21st-century American male musicians 21st-century American double-bassists American jazz double-bassists American male double-bassists American male jazz musicians