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Singer/songwriter, producer, arranger, bandleader, solo recording and touring artist, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, guitar

Rodney Bowens is on a never-ending search for the next new sound. 

 

From sweet smooth jazz to traditional jazz to orchestral crooning in the tradition of The Rat Pack, to earthy blues, soul, rhythm & blues, to country and western, to rock and rock ‘n roll, to hip-hop, to rap, reggae, folk, pop, or the classical symphonic slam of a thunderous major motion picture underscore.  Therein, you may find Rodney Bowens.  Or, maybe you will find him in a combination of any of the aforementioned, or a mix of it all.  True that!

 

Rodney studied music at the University of Texas at Arlington in the mid-1980’s; he applied his training in music theory to many different instruments.  His main instrument is Alto Sax, but his accomplishments include, voice, piano, keyboards, flute, woodwinds and guitar.   

 

Rodney spent a lot of time sitting in with jazz greats, James Clay and Marshall Ivery.  He played four nights a week with the legendary Bnios King where Rodney states, “I really got in tune with blues and jazz in this four year stretch!” 

 

1995 was the year of his first CD release, the self-titled “Rodney Bowens,” a complete collection of original material.

 

In 2000, Rodney released his second CD dedicated to his new born son Robert Bowens.  During this time Rodney found his stride in the smooth jazz genre.  “I spent a lot of time in San Antonio with radio personality David Munois.  This was a great time for me hearing my music coming over the radio and playing to large audiences,” says Rodney.

 

Unfortunately, with management difficulties and personal challenges his rise in the Jazz area was short-lived.  Rodney had to shift gears with a young son to care for and moved to playing cover music with the elite of Top 40 bands.  Rodney played with all of them around Texas.  Unbeknownst to him this became a blessing.  “Sometimes I was hired to play sax, sometimes keys,” said Rodney.  “Addison Kelly, from the Dallas area band, ‘Big Daddy’ asked me if I played keyboards because he didn’t need a sax player.  He asked if I owned a keyboard.  I said yes, to both.”  Rodney studied the piano but never performed with anyone on keyboards.  He went out that day and bought a keyboard set up and became keyboardist for the band the following weekend.  “We look back at that time and laugh for hours,” says Rodney.  Needless to say, Rodney is no stranger to versatility.   

 

As Director of the ’44 Uprising Productions and Records family, Rodney functions as a Solo Artist, Producer, Arranger, Singer/Songwriter, Music Director, Artist & Repertoire Developer, Business Development and the Horn Section Leader of The Markie Z Band.

 

Rodney Bowens, a true genre-busting “Renaissance Man.”

  A True Modern Day
“Renaissance Man.”
  A Genre-Busting Artist/Musician
  Studied Music at The University of Texas at Arlington - Mid 1980s under Director of UTA Jazz chorus, Professor Bill Snodgrass.
Main Instrument - Alto Sax
Also able to play piano, keyboards, flute, woodwinds, and guitar
Has played with several well-known blues & jazz artists from North TX area - Vernon Garrett, Greg Smith, Little Joe Blue, and many more!
Director in '44 Uprising Productions and Records - home of The Markie Z Band, Carl Storie Band, Gordon Pope Band, Tempest Barnes, Mikaela Kahn, & The Christian Brooks Band!
Singer/Songwriter,
Director & Producer,
Arranger, Bandleader,
Solo-Recording & Touring Artist
 
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