Steve Bowie researches, writes, curates and hosts a podcast entitled Ellington Reflections. The podcast is a celebration of the world of Ellingtonia and all of its many facets. It is available on various platforms ( more about the podcast at http://www.EllingtonReflections.com). He is currently working on a biography of jazz trumpeter Charles Melvin “Cootie” Williams (1911-1985) and gave a presentation on him at Ellington Meeting 2021. Mr. Bowie earned a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering at UCLA in 1981. He recently retired after a 40 year career in the Aerospace industry. During his college years, Mr. Bowie was the teaching assistant for the legendary guitarist Kenny Burrell’s class on Duke Ellington, Ellingtonia. Along with his other hobbies, music is his passion. Mr. Bowie plays saxophone and clarinet.

At Ellington 2022, he will talk about Kenny Burrell and Duke Ellington. Here is the abstract of his presentation.

“Kenny Burrell is one of the leading advocates for the legacy of Duke Ellington. In 1978, his UCLA class, “Ellingtonia,” became the first full time course in the United States devoted to Duke Ellington. It is still part of the curriculum today. The presentation will cover Kenny Burrell’s connection with Ellington – from his teen years as a fan, to his person and professional connections with Ellington and his musicians, his tributes to the Ellington/Strayhorn canon, and to his work in establishing an academic platform for the world of Ellingtonia.”