Lester Bowie (October 11, 1941 – November 8, 1999)
Biography
Born in the historic village of Bartonsville in Frederick County, Maryland, United States, Bowie grew up in St Louis, Missouri. His brothers, trombonist Joseph Bowie and saxophonist Byron Bowie, also became professional musicians. At the age of five, he started studying the trumpet with his father. He played with blues musicians such as Little Milton and Albert King, and rhythm and blues stars such as Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, and Rufus Thomas. In 1965, he became Fontella Bass's musical director and husband. Together they had four children: Ju'Lene Bowie Coney, Bahnamous Lee Bowie (a keyboardist and record producer who appeared as a featured guest on two Art Ensemble of Chicago recordings, Ancient to the Future (1987) and Coming Home Jamaica (1998)), Neuka Bowie Mitchell, and Larry Stevenson.vHe was a co-founder of Black Artists Group (BAG) in St. Louis.
In 1966, he moved to Chicago, where he worked as a studio musician, and met Muhal Richard Abrams and Roscoe Mitchell and became a member of the AACM. In 1968, he founded the Art Ensemble of Chicago He remained a member of this group for the rest of his life, and was also a member of Jack DeJohnette's New Directions quartet. He lived and worked in Jamaica and Nigeria, and played and recorded with Fela Kuti. Bowie's onstage appearance, in a white lab coat, with his goatee waxed into two points, was an important part of the Art Ensemble's stage show.
In 1984, he formed Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy, a brass nonet in which Bowie demonstrated jazz's links to other forms of popular music, a decidedly more populist approach than that of the Art Ensemble. With this group he recorded songs previously associated with Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Marilyn Manson, along with other material. His New York Organ Ensemble featured James Carter and Amina Claudine Myers. In the mid-1980s, he was also part of the jazz supergroup The Leaders, which included tenor saxophonist Chico Freeman, alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe, drummer Famoudou Don Moye, pianist Kirk Lightsey, and bassist Cecil McBee. In 1991, Bowie recorded the opening theme for the eighth and final season of the television series The Cosby Show.
Although seen as part of the avant-garde, Bowie embraced techniques from the whole history of jazz trumpet, filling his music with humorous smears, blats, growls, half-valve effects, and so on. His affinity for reggae and ska is exemplified by his composition "Ska Reggae Hi-Bop", which he performed with the Skatalites on their 1994 Hi-Bop Ska, and also with James Carter on Conversin' with the Elders. He also appeared on the 1994 Red Hot Organization's compilation album, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, which was produced to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African-American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by Time.
In 1993, he played on the David Bowie album Black Tie White Noise, including the song "Looking for Lester", which was named after him. (Lester and David Bowie were not related.)
Bowie took an adventurous and humorous approach to music,
Bowie died of liver cancer in 1999 at his Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, New York house he shared with second wife Deborah for 20 years. In 2001, the Art Ensemble of Chicago recorded Tribute to Lester. In 2020, Bowie was featured in a mural painted by Rafael Blanco in his hometown of Frederick, Maryland.
Discography
thumb|Lester Bowie, New Jazz Festival Moers ([[Moers Festival), 1978]]
thumb|Lester Bowie, with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Jazz Festival Zeltweg (Spielberg), 1983
As leader
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="0"
|- style="background:#ffdead;"
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Title
! width="10" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" |
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Year
! width="10" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" |
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Label
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Numbers 1 & 2
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1967
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Nessa
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Gittin' to Know Y'All (features Bowie conducting the Baden-Baden Free Jazz Orchestra)
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1970
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | MPS
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Fast Last!
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1974
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Muse
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Rope-A-Dope
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1976
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Muse
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | African Children
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1978
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Horo
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Duet (with Phillip Wilson)
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1978
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Improvising Artists
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | The 5th Power
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1978
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Black Saint
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | The Great Pretender
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1981
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | ECM
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | All the Magic
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1983
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | ECM
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Bugle Boy Bop (with Charles "Bobo" Shaw)
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1983
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Muse
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Duet (with Nobuyoshi Ino)
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1985
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Paddle Wheel
|}
Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="0"
|- style="background:#ffdead;"
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Title
! width="10" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" |
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Year
! width="10" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" |
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Label
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | I Only Have Eyes for You
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1985
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | ECM
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Avant Pop
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1986
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | ECM
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Twilight Dreams
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1987
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Venture
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Serious Fun
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1989
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | My Way
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1990
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Live at the 6th Tokyo Music Joy (with the Art Ensemble Of Chicago)
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1990
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | The Fire This Time
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1992
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | In & Out
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | The Odyssey Of Funk & Popular Music
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1999
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Atlantic
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | When the Spirit Returns
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 2000 (recorded Oct. 1997)
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Birdology
|}
Lester Bowie's New York Organ Ensemble
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="0"
|- style="background:#ffdead;"
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Title
! width="10" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" |
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Year
! width="10" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" |
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Label
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | The Organizer
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1991
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Funky T. Cool T.
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1992
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|}
With the Art Ensemble of Chicago
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="0"
|- style="background:#ffdead;"
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Title
! width="10" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" |
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Year
! width="10" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" |
! align="left" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey; border-top:1px solid grey;" | Label
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Old/Quartet - Roscoe Mitchell
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1967
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Nessa
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Numbers 1 & 2 - Lester Bowie
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1967
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Nessa
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Early Combinations - Art Ensemble
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1967
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Nessa
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Congliptious - Roscoe Mitchell
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1967
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Nessa
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | A Jackson in Your House
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1969
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Actuel
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Tutankhamun
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1969
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Freedom
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | the Spiritual
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1969
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Freedom
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | People in Sorrow
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1969
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Pathe Marconi
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Message to Our Folks
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1969
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Actuel
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Reese and the Smooth Ones
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1969
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Actuel
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Eda Wobu
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1969
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | JMY
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Certain Blacks
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1970
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | America
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Go Home
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1970
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Galloway
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Chi-Congo
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1970
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Paula
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Les Stances a Sophie
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1970
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | America
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Live in Paris
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1970
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Freedom
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Art Ensemble of Chicago with Fontella Bass
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1970
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | America
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Phase One
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1971
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | America
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Live at Mandell Hall
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1972
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Delmark
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Bap-Tizum
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1972
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Atlantic
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Fanfare for the Warriors
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1973
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Atlantic
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Kabalaba
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1974
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | AECO
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Nice Guys
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1978
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | ECM
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Live in Berlin
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1979
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | West Wind
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Full Force
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1980
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | ECM
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Urban Bushmen
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1980
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | ECM
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Among the People
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1980
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Praxis
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | The Complete Live in Japan
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1984
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | The Third Decade
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1984
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | ECM
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Naked
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1986
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Ancient to the Future
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1987
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | The Alternate Express
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1989
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Art Ensemble of Soweto
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1990
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | America - South Africa
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1990
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Thelonious Sphere Monk with Cecil Taylor
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1990
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Dreaming of the Masters Suite
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1990
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Live at the 6th Tokyo Music Joy with Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1991
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | DIW
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Fundamental Destiny with Don Pullen
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1991
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | AECO
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Salutes the Chicago Blues Tradition
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1993
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | AECO
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Coming Home Jamaica
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1996
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Atlantic
|-
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Urban Magic
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | 1997
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" |
| style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" | Musica Jazz
|}
With the Leaders
- Mudfoot (Black Hawk), 1986
- Out Here Like This (Black Saint), 1986
- Unforeseen Blessings (Black Saint), 1988
- Slipping and Sliding (Sound Hills), 1994
As sideman
With David Bowie
- Black Tie White Noise (Savage, 1993)
With James Carter
- Conversin' with the Elders (Atlantic, 1995)
With Jack DeJohnette
- New Directions (ECM, 1978)
- New Directions in Europe (ECM, 1979)
- Zebra (MCA, 1989)
With Brigitte Fontaine
- Comme à la Radio (Saravah, 1971)
With Melvin Jackson
- Funky Skull (Limelight, 1969)
With Fela Kuti
- Stalemate (Afrodisia, 1977)
- No Agreement (Afrodisia, 1977)
- Sorrow Tears and Blood (Kalakuta Records, 1977)
- Fear not for man (Afrodisia, 1977)
With Frank Lowe
- Fresh (Freedom, 1975)
With Jimmy Lyons
- Free Jazz No. 1 (Concert Hall, 1969)
- Other Afternoons (BYG, 1970)
With Roscoe Mitchell
- Sound (Delmark, 1966)
With David Murray
- Live at the Lower Manhattan Ocean Club (India Navigation, 1978)
With Sunny Murray
- Sunshine (BYG, 1969)
- Homage to Africa (BYG, 1969)
With Charles Bobo Shaw
- Under the Sun (Freedom, 1973)
- Streets of St. Louis (Moers Music, 1974)
With Archie Shepp
- Yasmina, a Black Woman (BYG, 1969)
- Blasé (BYG, 1969)
- Pitchin Can (America, 1970)
- Coral Rock (America, 1970)
With Alan Silva
- Seasons (BYG, 1971)
With Wadada Leo Smith
- Divine Love (ECM, 1979)
With others
- Funky Donkey Vol. 1 & 2 (Atavistic) (Luther Thomas & the Human Arts Ensemble)
- Under the Sun (Universal Justice) 1974 (Human Arts Ensemble)
- Funky Donkey 1977 (Circle) (Luther Thomas Creative Ensemble)
- Free to Dance (Black Saint), 1978 (Marcello Melis)
- 6 x 1 = 10 Duos for a New Decade (Circle), 1980 (John Fischer)
- The Razor's Edge/Strangling Me With Your Love (Hannibal, 12"), 1982 (Defunkt)
- The Ritual (Sound Aspects), 1985 (Kahil El'Zabar)
- Meet Danny Wilson (Virgin), 1987 (Danny Wilson)
- Sacred Love (Sound Aspects), 1988 (Kahil El'Zabar)
- Avoid The Funk (Hannibal), 1988 (Defunkt)
- Environ Days (Konnex), 1991 (John Fischer)
- Cum Funky (Enemy), 1994 (Defunkt)
- Hi-Bop Ska, 1994 (Skatalites)
- Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool (Impulse!), 1994 (Various Artists) appears on one track with Digable Planets
- Bluesiana Hurricane (Shanachie), 1995 with Rufus Thomas, Bill Doggett, Chuck Rainey, Bobby Watson, Will Calhoun, and Sue Foley
- Buddy Bolden's Rag (Delmark), 1995 (Malachi Thompson & Africa Brass)
- Not Two (Biodro Records), 1995 (Miłość and Lester Bowie)
- No Ways Tired (Nonesuch), 1995 (Fontella Bass)
- Mac's Smokin' Section (McKenzie), 1996 (Mac Gollehon)
- Hello Friend: To Ennis with Love (Verve), 1997 (Bill Cosby)
- My Secret Life (Calliope), 1998 (Sonia Dada)
- Amore Pirata (Il Manifesto), 1998 (Lorenzo Gasperoni Mamud Band feat. Lester Bowie)
- Smokin' Live (McKenzie), 1999 (Mac Gollehon)
- G:MT – Greenwich Mean Time (Island Records), 1999 (Guy Sigsworth)
- Talkin' About Life And Death (Biodro Records), 1999 (Miłość and Lester Bowie)
- Test Pattern (Razor & Tie), 2004 (Sonia Dada)
- Hiroshima (Art Yard), 2007 (The Sun Ra All Stars Band)
- The Ancestors Are Amongst Us (Katalyst, recorded live at Jazzfestival Saafelden August 28, 1987 and released 2010) - with Kahil El'Zabar and the Ritual Trio
References
Additional sources
External links
- Lester Bowie at the Art Ensemble of Chicago