Bill Lowrey (musician)
Encyclopedia
Bill Lowrey is an American
musical entertainer and banjoist from California. He has been a featured performer or headliner at a variety of jazz festivals around the U.S. for over fifteen years. Lowrey has established himself in the four-string banjo community as one of its key figures as compared to the likes of Sean Moyses, Steve Peterson, and Buddy Wachter.
, a noted Bay Area
instructor. Initially he learned to play the tenor banjo, but after discovering the recordings of the talents of banjoists such as the great banjo player Eddie Peabody
he switched to a plectrum banjo. After about a year of instruction from Tagawa, Lowrey then joined Tagawa's Junior Banjo Band which was made up of children and teenagers ages six to seventeen. He left after graduating from high school to then attend college out of the area.
(PBB) of San Jose
, California
. Lowrey, now a long time member of the PBB
and on occasion its band leader, is asked to perform a solo act or in small jazz combos on a regular basis. When he is not playing with the Peninsula Band
he travels the country to perform at various traditional, early American jazz, and banjo related shows and festivals. He routinely performs at the FIGA
annual convention. Lowrey sits on the Board of Directors for the non-profit foundation that is part of the PBB.
in Business Administration (MBA) from Pepperdine University
. Lowrey is actively involved as a Boy Scout volunteer, is married, and the father of two children.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musical entertainer and banjoist from California. He has been a featured performer or headliner at a variety of jazz festivals around the U.S. for over fifteen years. Lowrey has established himself in the four-string banjo community as one of its key figures as compared to the likes of Sean Moyses, Steve Peterson, and Buddy Wachter.
Early life
In 1976, at age 13, Lowrey began taking lessons from Charlie TagawaCharlie Tagawa
Charlie Tagawa is an Japanese-American musical entertainer, banjoist, and Japanese immigrant. His musical career has spanned six decades and he is regarded as one of the best banjo players and arguably one of the all-time best. He performs regularly across the U.S. and in Japan where he is known...
, a noted Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
instructor. Initially he learned to play the tenor banjo, but after discovering the recordings of the talents of banjoists such as the great banjo player Eddie Peabody
Eddie Peabody
Captain Edwin Ellsworth Peabody was an American musical entertainer. His career spanned five decades and he was perhaps the most famous plectrum banjo player ever...
he switched to a plectrum banjo. After about a year of instruction from Tagawa, Lowrey then joined Tagawa's Junior Banjo Band which was made up of children and teenagers ages six to seventeen. He left after graduating from high school to then attend college out of the area.
Musical career
Upon his return to the Bay Area after college, Lowrey began performing with the Peninsula Banjo BandPeninsula Banjo Band
The Peninsula Banjo Band is an American musical group and 5013 non-profit foundation that is dedicated to preservation of the heritage and musical legacy of the four-string banjo as well as raising money for cancer related and other notable charities...
(PBB) of San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Lowrey, now a long time member of the PBB
Peninsula Banjo Band
The Peninsula Banjo Band is an American musical group and 5013 non-profit foundation that is dedicated to preservation of the heritage and musical legacy of the four-string banjo as well as raising money for cancer related and other notable charities...
and on occasion its band leader, is asked to perform a solo act or in small jazz combos on a regular basis. When he is not playing with the Peninsula Band
Peninsula Banjo Band
The Peninsula Banjo Band is an American musical group and 5013 non-profit foundation that is dedicated to preservation of the heritage and musical legacy of the four-string banjo as well as raising money for cancer related and other notable charities...
he travels the country to perform at various traditional, early American jazz, and banjo related shows and festivals. He routinely performs at the FIGA
Fretted Instrument Guild of America
The Fretted Instrument Guild of America, also known as FIGA, is a non-profit international musical organization that was founded in 1957. Its membership consists of approximately 2000 people who consider themselves banjo, guitar, mandolin, ukulele and related fretted musical instrument players...
annual convention. Lowrey sits on the Board of Directors for the non-profit foundation that is part of the PBB.
Personal life
A graduate of St. Mary's College, Lowrey works as a software consultant to the health care industry. He also holds a Master's degreeMaster's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Business Administration (MBA) from Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
. Lowrey is actively involved as a Boy Scout volunteer, is married, and the father of two children.
See also
- List of banjo players
- Banjo Hall of Fame MembersFour-String Banjo Hall of Fame MembersThe National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame recognizes musicians. bands, or companies that have made a distinct contribution to the four-string banjo performance, educational, or manufacturing communities or towards the promotion of the four-string banjo...
- List of banjo bands (worldwide)
- DixielandDixielandDixieland music, sometimes referred to as Hot jazz, Early Jazz or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz music which developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century, and was spread to Chicago and New York City by New Orleans bands in the 1910s.Well-known jazz standard songs from the...
- RagtimeRagtimeRagtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...