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Steve Bowie

@steve.bowie

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Author of “Concerto for Cootie, the Life and Times of Cootie Williams” and podcast host of “Ellington Reflections.” Pasadena, California. #UCLA '81

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SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, November 22nd. Everyone’s invited to the launch party for my book “Concerto for Cootie, the Life and Times of Cootie Williams.” It’s at Gold Bug in Old Town Pasadena (38 E. Holly), 6:30-9:30PM. #cootiewilliams #stevebowie #universitypressofmississippi #shelfie #jazzbiography #dukeellington #bennygoodman #goldbug #pasadena by @steve.bowie

The new episode of the “Ellington Reflections” podcast is “The Girl’s Suite,” a 1961 tribute to singers Lena Horne, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn and Mahalia Jackson. (Free on iTunes @ https://tinyurl.com/yaq3jpdj). by @steve.bowie

I just received this very presumptuous email from the Dodgers. It’s interesting that they decided to use Yamamoto as the face of this campaign rather than Ohtani… by @steve.bowie

I received a physical copy of the audiobook of “Concerto for Cootie “ today! #cootiewilliams #dukeellington #rbmedia @rbmediaaudio @upmississippi by @steve.bowie

My letter in support of Cootie Williams’ induction into the Downbeat magazine Hall of Fame appears in the November 2026 issue. #downbeatmagazine #cootiewilliams #dukeellington by @steve.bowie

The new episode of the “Ellington Reflections” podcast is “Portrait of Barrie Lee Hall, Jr.” (Free on iTunes @ https://tinyurl.com/yaq3jpdj). Hall joined the band in 1973 and was one of the last musicians hired by Ellington. #dukeellington #barrieleehalljr by @steve.bowie

The new Louis Armstrong Mosaic set has just arrived! As you can see, I have bought a few over the years…
#LouisArmstrong #mosaicrecords @louisarmstronghouse by @steve.bowie

The Underrated Jazz Canon: 15 Books That Go Beyond the Usual Greats 📚🎷

The story of jazz is bigger than a handful of legends.

These 15 books celebrate the mavericks, the experimenters, and the unique voices who shaped the music in ways that are often overlooked.

The Three Out's Move by James Gaunt @jimmyjrg @331.3books

Peter Brötzmann: Free-Jazz, Revolution and the Politics of Improvisation by Daniel Spicer @danieljamesspicer @repeaterbooks

Bill Frisell, Beautiful Dreamer: The Guitarist Who Changed the Sound of American Music by Philip Watson @mrphilipwatson @faberbooks

Ornette Coleman: The Territory and the Adventure by Maria Golia @reaktionbooks

Out of the Long Dark: The Life of Ian Carr by Alyn Shipton @equinoxpublishing

Holy Ghost: The Life And Death Of Free Jazz Pioneer Albert Ayler by Richard Koloda @jawbonepress

Pat Metheny: Stories Beyond Words by Bob Gluck @bobgluck27 @uchicagopress

Jazz Revolutionary: The Life & Music Of Eric Dolphy by Jonathon Grasse @jbgrasse @jawbonepress

Stephane Grappelli: A Life in Jazz by Paul Balmer @omnibuspress

In the Brewing Luminous by The Life & Music of Cecil Taylor by Phil Freeman @wolke_verlag

Improvising: My Life in Music by Larry Coryell @larrycoryellofficial

Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon by Maxine Gordon @maxinegordon6 @uc_press

European Echoes: Jazz Experimentalism in Germany, 1950-1975 by Harald Kisiedu @wolke_verlag

Concerto for Cootie: The Life and Times of Cootie Williams by Steven C. Bowie @steve.bowie @upmississippi

God is in the House: A Biography of Art Tatum by Mark Lehmstedt @wolke_verlag

Save this list for your next bookstore run.

#Jazz #JazzMusic #JazzHistory #JazzBooks #JazzBiography #JazzLiterature #JazzCommunity #MusicBooks #MusicBook #FreakoutBookshelf #Music #Records #Vinylcommunity #Vinyl #Bookstagram #FreeJazz #AvantGardeJazz #ExperimentalJazz #JazzGuitar #OrnetteColeman #BillFrisell #PeterBrotzmann #CecilTaylor #AlbertAyler #EricDolphy #DexterGordon #ArtTatum #PatMetheny #LarryCoryell #StephaneGrappelli by @steve.bowie

The audiobook version of “Concerto for Cootie, the Life and Times of Cootie Williams” will be available in audiobook format on October 6th! (I hope my name is pronounced correctly…) by @steve.bowie

@upmississippi University Press of Mississippi is running a 50% off sale from September 9th until September 18th. (Plus, get free US shipping with no minimum purchase!) It’s a great chance to pick up “Concerto for Cootie, the Life and Times of Cootie Williams” and many other great titles! https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/C/Concerto-for-Cootie #cootiewilliams by @steve.bowie

The new episode of the “Ellington Reflections” podcast is “Portrait of Kenny Burrell” (Free on iTunes @ https://tinyurl.com/yaq3jpdj). The famed guitarist, educator and Ellington advocate is celebrating his 95th birthday this Friday!
#dukeellington #kennyburrell by @steve.bowie

“Concerto for Cootie: The Life and Times of Cootie Williams,” published by the University of Mississippi Press in October 2025, is this author’s exploration of the legendary trumpeter and longtime member of the Duke Ellington big band. A curator and host of the Duke Ellington-themed podcast Ellington Reflections, Bowie also has presented papers on Williams and Kenny Burrell for conferences held by the Duke Ellington Society of Sweden, and his articles have appeared in DownBeat and Jazz Improv magazines. Fellow biographer and BIO member Kevin McGruder interviewed Steven Bowie. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. by @steve.bowie