Jimmy Owens (musician) - 1950s and 1960s

1950s and 1960s

Owens began playing the trumpet at the age of fourteen under the tutelage of Donald Byrd and later studied music composition with Henry Brant. At the age of fifteen, Owens had the opportunity of sitting in with Miles Davis’ band; however, he did not record with them. In the late-1960s, he was a member of Marshall Brown’s Newport Youth Band. Owens graduated from the High School of Music and Art in New York City, and subsequently attended the University of Massachusetts where he obtained his Masters degree in Education. In the 1960s, he was a member of the hybrid classical and rock band Ars Nova. After Ars Nova ended, he was a member of the New York Jazz Sextet. Among the members of this group at various times were Sir Roland Hanna, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Benny Golson, Hubert Laws, and Tom McIntosh. In addition, he has led his own group called, Jimmy Owens Plus, since the 1970s touring and playing in festivals and concerts all over the world. His performances with his band have taken him to Asia, South and Central America, the Middle East and various parts of Europe. He helped found Collective Black Artist, which is a non-profit jazz education and performing organization in 1969. Between 1969 and 1972, Jimmy was a sideman on the David Frost Show whose musical director was Dr. Billy Taylor. Sidemen in this group included Frank Wess, Seldon Powell, Barry Galbraith, and Bob Cranshaw. Stepping into adulthood, Jimmy Owens had already established a good reputation for himself that led him to the opportunities such as touring France with Duke Ellington.