“Island in the City” - Filmed live by Tim Gebauer at Electropolis.
“The Chase”
Here’s a little bit of improvising w/ Rocky Mantia on keys. A big thanks to Steve Bunck and the Rogers team for inviting me to Sawhorse Studios to test out these beautiful sounding drums. Video: Gator MediaSTL
Here's a new piece called "Daydream Connection." Collaborating long distance with Eva Kestner (taiko drums), Soumitra Thakur (sitar) and Ashley Jarmack (bansuri flute).
A snippet of a new tune called "Your Blue World"
A snippet of a new song called "Giants Passing Through"
"Guia" featuring the incomparable Aline Paes on vocals. It's such an honor to join forces with her long distance (US and Brazil) to bring this song to life!
Lyrics in Portuguese & English
“Guia” (Guide)
Na voz ela traz toda luz
(In the voice she brings all the light)
De um canto sem dor e lamento
(Singing without pain or lamentation)
E pergunta pra você
(I will sing and ask to you)
O que é a vida sem amor?
(What is life without love?)
Música vem me guiar
(Music, come guide me)
At night when there’s trouble in dreams
And you’re stuck in isolation
I will sing these words to you
What is life without love?
Music, be my guide, my guide
Sing...Ba da ba, ba da ba, ba ba ba, ba ba ba
Música vem me guiar
(Music, come guide me)
Guia
Guia
Guia
Guia
Collaborating long distance with Eva Kestner/Taiko drums, Ranya Iqbal/cello and Drew Forde/viola.
Collaborating with Taiko Drum Artist, Eva Kestner, from different parts of the world (US and Japan).
I’m back from taking an unforgettable journey through Japan! It felt like a dream. A travel highlight was studying Taiko drumming and jamming with the remarkable, Eva Kestner!
Taking a Japanese calligraphy class with Akira Yamagata in Kyoto. I chose to paint the kanji for “creativity.”
I’m honored to be a part of the St. Louis International Film Festival on November 7-17! Check out the official trailer created by Sleepy Kitty Arts, which includes the song “Forward Rhythm Agenda” by Kevin Bowers.
Playing on stage w/ Curtis J Brewer, Emmanuel Echem, Steve Conroy and other great musicians at C'Mon Everybody in New York.
What an incredible time playing on stage with Alejandro Escovedo at Roots N Blues N BBQ! Love this crew.
Such a thrill to be on stage playing pineapple shaker with Willie Nelson closing out the Pernikoff Brothers' second night in New York!
It was an honor opening for Bonnie Raitt tonight in New York with the Pernikoff Brothers! Bonnie is a beautiful performer and human being.
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! I’m in Nashville this week recording some new songs with the Pernikoff Brothers and producer, Jacquire King. I feel very fortunate to be able to spend my birthday doing what I love, which is making music. It’s going to be a fun year!
This photo sums up how I felt during the entire show last night. Thanks to my brother, David Grelle (Dave Grelle's Playadors), for arranging some incredible music and putting together a group of world-class musicians and good friends. Special thanks to everyone who celebrated with us at Whitaker Music Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden. See you at the next show!
Biography
Nova is the soundtrack to a movie starring Fred Astaire and Lena Horne, directed by Federico Fellini. (Which is a strong contender for the best movie never made.) It’s the kind of record, at least, you make as one of St. Louis’ most respected drummers, featured in Modern Drummer, fresh from releasing a well-received album with soul-punk band The Feed and then lately inspired by a deep & deepening trip through Spain. In other words, it’s intoxicating, it’s invigorating, it’s joyous. Like Kevin Bowers himself, it knows why secrets are whispered. And how to throw a party.
Kevin’s sketch of Spain is the story of two lovers meeting near the Mediterranean Sea. Lyrically, it’s visual, concise, reminiscing. Sonically, it’s expansive, layered, ranging over Latin America and Africa. Brazilian samba, psychedelic rock, solo drum pieces—all find expression in 12 songs attuned to the rhythms of romance and percussive because that’s what love is. The leap forward in songcraft is as much personal as artistic. Nova is not only what a drummer at heart makes but also a genre-hopping composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. This time out, Bowers focused on arranging material for others to sing (unlike his previous two solo releases, My Love Is Yours and Nine Story Building, where he was the lead vocalist). It was a decision—one he made early on—that guided the tones and textures of the songs themselves: restless, innovative and entirely right for the record. They mean to transport you to a better and exciting place, and they do.
Nova also has the distinction of gathering some of the finest rock, blues and jazz musicians (and friends) in St. Louis. Together, they manage to croon like Tony Bennett, pop like Sergio Mendes and pulse like the Beatles at their trippiest. This is music that must be performed and heard live. Nova is available now at select stores and online.
TOUR
*UPCOMING SHOWs* TBA
*Previous Shows*
January 11th, 2019 @ NYC Winter Jazzfest @ The Bitter End ** New York, NY 7:20 PM
September 9th, 2018 @ The Grandel Theatre ** St. Louis, MO 4:00 PM
April 20th, 2018 @ Jazz At the Bistro ** St. Louis, MO 7:30 & 9:30 PM
April 21st, 2018 @ Jazz At the Bistro ** St. louis, MO 7:30 & 9:30 PM
October 14th, 2017 @ KDHX's 30th Birthday Bash ** St. Louis, MO 4:30 PM
September 9th, 2017 @ LouFest Music Festival - A Special Chuck Berry Tribute ** St. Louis, MO 8:00 PM
July 19th, 2017 @ Whitaker Music Festival - Missouri Botanical Garden ** St. Louis, MO 7:30 PM
May 6th, 2017 @ Jazz At the Bistro ** St. Louis, MO 7:30 & 9:30 PM
May 5th, 2017 @ Jazz At the Bistro ** St. Louis, MO 7:30 & 9:30 PM
August 11th, 2016 Nova Album Release Show @ Off Broadway ** St. Louis, MO 8 PM
Chuck Berry Tribute @ Loufest
It was such an honor to be the music director alongside Eric Krasno (Soulive) for the Chuck Berry Tribute at LouFest. I had an incredible time playing drums behind Huey Lewis, Captain Kirk Douglas (The Roots), Rashawn Ross (Dave Matthews Band), Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy), Chris Chew (North Mississippi Allstars), Valerie June, Britt Daniel (Spoon), Pokey LaFarge, Cage the Elephant, and the St. Louis All-Stars, including David Grelle, Erminie Cannon, Michael Aguirre, Tandra Williams, Andy Coco, Ben Reece, Adam Hucke and Aaron Chandler. Let's do this again!
Here is some press for the Chuck Berry Tribute at LouFest Music Festival.
NOVA NEWS & UPDATEs
New York City! We love you and can’t wait to see you again!
Happy times in the green room at The Bitter End at NYC Winter Jazzfest. Photo by Tom Pernikoff
Check out this new concert poster created by Sleepy Kitty Arts! Limited copies will be available at NYC Winter Jazzfest this Friday at The Bitter End. Kevin Bowers’ Nova takes the stage at 7:20 PM. This is going to be a good one! www.winterjazzfest.com. Poster by Sleepy Kitty Arts
Thanks to Cara Louise and Alive Magazine for the interview! Come celebrate with us at NYC Winter Jazzfest on January 11th at The Bitter End. Get your tickets now for Kevin Bowers’ Nova at www.winterjazzfest.com.
Photo by Nate Burrell
Thanks to Kevin C. Johnson and St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the write-up! We’re getting ready to make our New York City debut at NYC Winter Jazzfest on January 11th at The Bitter End. Tickets for Kevin Bowers’ Nova are on sale now at www.winterjazzfest.com.
Photo by Nate Burrell
Kevin Bowers’ Nova is set to perform at NYC Winter Jazzfest on January 11th at The Bitter End. Show starts at 7:20 PM. Tickets are available now at www.winterjazzfest.com. Thanks to Daniel Hill and Riverfront Times for the write-up.
Photo by Nate Burrell
Had a blast on opening night at the St. Louis International Film Festival.
I am honored and excited to be a part of the 27th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) on November 1-11. Check out the official trailer created by Sleepy Kitty Arts, which includes music from Kevin Bowers’ Nova. The trailer will kick off each film at the festival and we can’t wait for you to see it in select theaters near you. For more information, visit www.cinemastlouis.org. See you at the movies!
Thank you to the Kranzberg Arts Foundation and sponsors for putting together such a special event at The Grandel. It was an honor to share the stage and building with so many remarkable STL bands. A very big thanks to all the fans who came out and showed their support. We love you!
Photography by Nate Burrell
Check out this new concert poster made by Sleepy Kitty Arts! Limited copies will be available at the Artist Merch Table at The Grandel this Sunday, 9/9. Kevin Bowers’ Nova takes the stage at 4 PM.
I'm back from my adventures in Havana, Cuba, where I studied with incredible drum and percussion teachers. Getting lost in the colorful streets of Havana while exploring its fascinating culture and heritage was inspiring. It was a life-changing trip.
Somewhere in Old Havana. Photo by Yosel Vazquez. Be sure to look him up if you're traveling to Cuba.
I'm feeling loved right now! Thank you to Jeremy Essig and Riverfront Times for the kind words. It's an honor to be included in this list with so many remarkable St. Louis musicians.
Such an inspiring afternoon! Hanging with world-class drummer, Gregg Bissonette, and master recording engineer and dear friend, Jason McEntire. Thanks to Jim Uding and Steve Bunck at Dixon Drums for hosting a solid group of drummers and filming this outstanding masterclass.
What an incredible weekend that was! THANK YOU to everyone who danced and celebrated with us at Jazz St. Louis - Jazz At the Bistro. See you at the next show. We love you!
Feeling the love! Thank you Kevin C. Johnson and St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the support.
Check out this new concert poster made by the amazing Sleepy Kitty Arts. Limited copies will be available at our upcoming shows at Jazz At the Bistro - Jazz St. Louis on April 20 and 21. Reserve your seats now at http://tickets.jazzstl.org.
I am extremely happy and honored to be a part of this year’s St. Louis International Film Festival on Nov. 2-12. The official trailer, “Magic Camera,” will kick off each film at the festival. It was made by a team of wonderfully creative and talented STL artists, including Gabe Doiron @ Gabetown, Paige Brubeck and Evan Sult @ Sleepy Kitty Arts, Erin Renée Roberts, Mike Speckhard, Sean Funcik, Ian Wasserman, Tim Gebauer @ Electropolis and Andy Paulissen. The trailer also includes music from “Cinema” by Sabina and “Ground Motion” by Kevin Bowers. We are so proud of this video. For more info, visit: http://www.cinemastlouis.org/about-festival. See you at the movies!
PRI's The World : NPR is now spinning "Imagination Voodoo" from the new album, Nova.
Last night felt like a dream. Thanks to Bob Bennett from Jazz At the Bistro for introducing us to our heroes, Herbie Hancock and Vinnie Colaiuta.
Thank you to everyone who danced and celebrated with us at the Missouri Botanical Garden. You made the evening truly special.
Thanks to the Riverfront Times and Roy Kasten for the kind words. It's an honor to be included in this list.
Thank you to everyone who made it out to our performances @ Jazz At the Bistro. It was truly a magical weekend.
Nova - One of The 10 Best St. Louis Albums of 2016 by Christian Schaeffer and the Riverfront Times.
PRESS
According to Kevin Bowers...from The Huffington Post
“’Ground Motion’ is a chant song combining both Brazilian and African drumming. I am aiming for something primitive full of color and vigor for the body and soul. There is no movement without rhythm, and my intentions are to get people to move and make them feel more alive.”
"Nova is an easy to listen to collection of lounge and romantic songs with a Brazilian and Latin flavor." - World Music Central.org
"Bowers, whose skill as a drummer has placed him behind the kit in a number of rock, jazz and blues outfits around town, has made a marvel of a record with Nova, pulling from a years-long fascination with Brazilian music ranging from gentle bossa nova to psych-friendly tropicalia to blistering batucada." - Riverfront Times
“The airy bossa nova track features dueling male/female vocals which gives it a bit of “The Girl from Ipanema”-feel.” - Surviving The Golden Age
“He reaches for the sweet, slightly lush sound of Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66, complete with nylon-stringed guitar, airy-voiced flute and equally airy-voiced female duet partner.” - My Spilt Milk
"The songs form a loose narrative, sweeping the listener along in a raptuous saga. Highly recommended!" - Midwest Book Review
