Joseph Bowie

Who is Joseph Bowie?

Joseph Bowie in St Louis, Missouri is an American bandleader, trombonist, and founder of the seminal jazz fusion band, Defunkt. The group has been blending jazz with funk and punk rock music for more than three consecutive decades.

Bowie is the younger brother of world renowned avant-garde jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie, and saxophonist Byron Bowie. He began his career with the Black Artists Group a musical collective from St. Louis, then later joined the Human Arts Ensemble, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, and became involved with various rhythm and blues projects alongside no wave saxophonist James Chance.

After recovering from a bout with drug addiction during the 1980s, Bowie discovered Nichiren Buddhism and has been a practicing Buddhist ever since. He has since founded Kosen-Rufu, another musical outfit aside from Defunkt. In 2003 Bowie moved to The Netherlands, where he lives in the small town of Gorinchem and works with a number of groups.