Lester Bowie

A co-founder of the Art Ensemble of Chicago and a leading figure in the jazz avant-garde. Bowie was known for his theatrical stage presence, often performing in a white lab coat, and for a highly personal trumpet style that embraced the entire history of Black music. He could play with a raw, vocal-like quality, incorporating smears, growls, and half-valve effects, creating a sound that was both humorous and deeply profound. He was a master of musical deconstruction and celebration.