Full Focus on Jazz Drummer Colin Bowden

Where is the  jazz fan who doesn’t rate Colin Bowden as star drummer in the tradition of the New Orleans greats?

And yet drummers are invariably hidden from view at the back of the band behind the line up of brass and reeds.

I have had the immense privilege of photographing Colin live on several occasions with a view to including him in my pantheon of jazz portraits. And so, jazzers, please help me to select which of my following photographs of Colin you would prefer for his portrait in acrylics.

Photo No 1

Photo No 2

Photo No 3

Photo No 4

To make your choice simply post in the comment box below your preferred photo numbered 1 to 4 from the top.

To help you make your choice, here is a wonderful clip of Colin in a spectacular drum solo with the Delta Jazz Bandin Duisburg, Germany: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3foG9N0jpg 

(Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

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Comments

  1. Dave Pipkin says:

    If i was Colin I would not want to be separated from my kit. So it’s got to be Photo # 1.

  2. Alyn Shipton says:

    Has to be no 1 and I say that having shared the stage with Colin many times since the 70s…

  3. Peter Butler says:

    Thanks Dave. Keep the comments coming, folks.

  4. Peter Butler says:

    Thank you Alyn – good to have your opinion.

  5. John Pinkerton says:

    Have a listen to Stan Greig playing drums on Humph’s 1954 recording of Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble. Fantastic off-beat rolls, punctuation, syncopation. A great listening experience.

  6. Peter Butler says:

    Thanks for taking a look at Jazz&Jazz so soon, John. I’ll Google your suggestion and I look forward to your future comments. Peter.

  7. david goddard says:

    Gotta be no. 1 for me as well. A magic drummer in the true tradition !

  8. Ron Norman says:

    Is Colin Bowden still alive and is it possible to contact him

  9. Peter Butler says:

    I have emailed you, Ron.

  10. Peter Butler says:

    Hi Ron

    John Petters contacted Colin for me and received this reply from him. If you wish to contact him his email address is: [email protected]

    Hi John

    Tried to contact the guy but got caught up in a Buffalo’s website that wanted access to my computer, didn’t want to get involved with that. If Peter can pass on my Email details to him without the closed society jiggery-pokery should be OK.
    They all looked pretty old on their website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Regards
    CB

  11. Martine says:

    I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Colin 3 times and his solos are fabulous. When I last contacted The Delta Jazz Band’s leader I said I wanted to put his solos on YouTube if Colin didn’t mind but when I tried to transfer it onto my computer from my phone, the music played but the picture kept jumping. I’d love to get him to see them. Do you know where he plays or with whom, I’d love to see him play again.
    Martine
    P.S. please feel free to give him my e-mail address.
    [email protected]

  12. Peter Butler says:

    I have passed your message on, Martine, but cannot be sure Colin will contact you.

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