Interview With James Bowman III
First off, Thank-you for taking the time to talk with us about your music. It was a real pleasure to listen to your latest album ‘Things On My Mind’.
Ryan: For those who are not familiar with you as a musician, can you tell us a bit about how you got started on this music path, and how you progressed up to a professional Jazz musician?
James Bowman III: Please thank the Empire staff for affording me the opportunity to discuss the music that is so much a part of my life. In answer to your question, I have been blessed to have been surrounded by many incredible vocalists. Take 6 who started at Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) where I attended for undergraduate studies, had and continues to have a significant influence on me. Their harmonies and their attention to detail resonate with me. Additionally, since I have constantly been in the studio over the years (tracking drum kit), I’ve had the opportunity to listen to many vocalists and learned much via osmosis. Any success that I have had or will have can be attributed to these experiences.
LISTEN TO THINGS ON MY MIND TODAY!
Ryan: Your new album has a real sense of hope, faith and gratitude in it. After listening to some of the lyrics closely, I had the feeling that you have overcome some real hardships to get here. Without stepping over the line too far here, would you mind telling us a bit about where this powerful sense of faith and gratitude comes from?
James Bowman III: It’s interesting you ask this question. When I was growing up, at times, hope is all we had. We didn’t know where our next meal would come from or whether or not we would be evicted in the morning. What we did have however, was hope. Hope that a brighter day was on the way. Therefore, to answer your question, ‘hope’ is absolutely foundational to the message in the music’. The experiences that I had as a child, matured me and provided intestinal fortitude with which to navigate life and to execute the assignments that God had/has for me. Where there is life, there is hope. Even though political discourse may be evil, people may be killing each other, nations may war against nations, but, we can always hope for a better day for mankind and then behave as if the hopeful scenario has already manifested. This is not a farcical mindset. When slaves were in the field, they would often sing spirituals that espoused the notion that their current circumstance did not have to dictate their ultimate destiny. This mantra is what I have tried to convey in the musical offerings of this project. HOPE!
‘hope’ is absolutely foundational to the message in the music’
Ryan: Your album shows a lot of diversity in styles, it is mainly Jazz, but it also has some very distinct other styles woven into the songs. When you made this album, was your intention to create a jazz/fusion album of sorts?
James Bowman III: Early in my musical experience, I tended to migrate toward the ‘funk’ genre. Since my earlier days, grooves by Earth Wind and Fire, The Commodores, Ohio Players, etc. influenced how I interpreted tracks during sessions. Dominant rhythms that didn’t overpower the track was my forte. The ‘pocket’ was my residence when tracking in the studio. Over the years, I have mellowed and, though I still enjoy ‘funk’, a more eclectic musical view has permeated my mind. This view was the genesis of the approach for the current project, ‘Things On My Mind’.
Ryan: Considering the many songs on the album that would make great singles, what was it about you latest single ‘Prayin’ For Me’ that made you choose that song in particular?
James Bowman III: As I alluded to earlier, my siblings and I faced several challenges during our childhood. Ultimately, God saw fit that all of us are now professionals (Educator, Attorney, Doctor, Engineer). Many times, my mother has been queried to determine how she made it. Her answer will always be, ‘PRAYER’. As I’ve grown and matured, now with grown children of my own, I am certain that I would not have made it out of the inner city if there weren’t people, ‘Prayin’ For Me’. Personally, I’ve gone from being homeless to a master’s degree. This intense life matriculation compels me to inject positive messages into the music. Even if the listeners are not Christian, all of us have well-wishers that wanted better for us than themselves; and thus, can relate to the generic positive message of ‘each generation should be better than the last’ in the lyrics.
Ryan: From drummer to lead singer. That is a major change in music positions, what made you move spots on the stage?
James Bowman III: I firmly believe that each experience in life prepares us for the next assignment/challenge. Accordingly, my many hours of playing drum kit in studio was preparation for what would come next in my musical journey; vocals. The impetus for the change was that I felt compelled to articulate positivity. Lyrics became the conduit through which I could express this positive message. Music is a universal medium that an uplift when despair has set in. It continues to be my desire to uplift the downtrodden and encourage the marginalized. A better day is ahead.
Ryan: Who would you say are your most prominent musical influences?
James Bowman III: There are several musicians who have influenced me, but for different reasons. I list a few: 1) Frank Sinatra (smooth; consistent), 2) ‘Take 6’ (tight harmonies, attention to detail), 3) Earth Wind and Fire (funky grooves and positive social messages), and Michael Buble’ (smooth delivery) to name a few. There are others but these are a few of the main contributors to my musical education.
Ryan: Can you tell me a bit about why you chose the two covers that you did on your album? also, how did a Christmas song end up on an album released in the summer?
James Bowman III: The black and white covers were suggested to me by the graphic artist that I work with (Ian Callender from Callender Lab). The idea was to convey a nostalgic sentiment while concurrently using poses to invite the user to join me in deep thought concerning the ‘Things On My Mind’. Also, why is a Christmas track on the project you ask? It’s all about hope and love. Christmas brings with it a kinder and more hopeful humanity that, even if for only once per year, is a welcomed experience. This holiday, more than any other, encourages people to simply be kind and not be weary in well-doing. This is a sentiment I espouse.
Ryan: Everyone has their own unique creative process, what does your songwriting process look like?
James Bowman III: Being a drummer for many years, for me, the songwriting process begins with the ‘groove’. I typically hear the foundational beat of the track first. Next, a melody will begin to formulate. Then, the positive message that I want to convey is added. For me, this has been a successful approach. If you’ll notice, even some of the lyrics are sung rhythmically. This is because, when I am tracking vocals in the studio, I literally hear the groove as if it were the melody. This perspective drives my vocals and consequently, the background vocals.
Ryan: Collaborations are becoming more and more popular these days, is there anyone that you would like to collaborate on creating some music with?
James Bowman III: I would love to collaborate with Mr. Michael Buble’. Mr. Buble’ is an incredible musician and possesses a smooth delivery that is coveted (definitely reminds me of one of my musical heroes; Mr. Frank Sinatra). I would be absolutely ecstatic to work with him to obtain an education on studio musicianship and live show performances.
Ryan: Lastly, and once again, thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to share with your listeners and readers about your music in 2019?
James Bowman III: I want to again thank you for the interview. What’s next for me? More music! In the not too distant future, I will be back in the studio working on more tracks for a coming release. In addition, since I have been married for 33 years, I plan to continue sharing some of my mistakes, some of my victories, some of my failures with the audience. I have a YouTube channel ‘’ames Bowman III’, where I upload videos to discuss items of positivity. The goal is to provide ‘Marital And Family Encouragement”; hashtag MAFE (#MAFE). It is my hope and desire that some of the things I have learned can be a benefit to others such that they realize a more fulfilled existence. This is the essence of living. We live, we learn, then, we share what we’ve learned to make a better world for our children and our fellow citizens. Hopefully, this musical contribution (Things On My Mind) can add to the positive continuum.