This 2019 Juneteenth Celebration’s musical lineup has added renowned, chart-topping guitarist Tim Bowman.
Blending smooth jazz, gospel, soul and blues, Bowman’s 2017 album, “Into the Blue,” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums Chart, led by lead single “City Lights,” that reached No. 1 on the radio. This Detroit native began playing the guitar at 11 years old at Michigan’s International Gospel Center. At 18, he won a two-year scholarship to the College of Creative Studies where he learned jazz theory. Years after his sister Vickie married into the Winans family, Bowman was invited to join the group during a concert, resulting in him becoming a member of the band and eventually the music director.
Wanting to pursue a solo career, Bowman left the Winans in 1987 and released his debut album, “Love, Joy, Peace,” in 1996, on Diamante, Reaching No. 19 on the Gavin Smooth Jazz chart and No. 2 on Radio & Record Magazine’s album chart. He released two more critically acclaimed albums on Diamante, 1998’s “Paradise” and 2000’s “Smile.” In 2004, he experienced a breakthrough with his fourth album, “This Is What I Hear,” on Liquid 8 Records. His song “Summer Groove” earned him his first No. 1 record and made him a smooth jazz all-star. By 2007, he secured a spot on the “Guitars and Saxes Tour” alongside Jeff Golub, Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum.
Whalum, Najee, Jeff Lorber, Randy Scott, Darren Rahn and Tim Bowman Jr. appeared on Bowman’s self-titled fifth album, released in 2008. He reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz chart with “Sweet Sundays” and also enjoyed success with singles “High Def” and Najee collaboration “Rapture.”
The Collection, a compilation of some of Bowman’s best work, debuted in 2010 and featured three new songs. “Let It Shine” marked his third No. 1 song, topping the Billboard Smooth Jazz Singles chart. “Seaside Drive,” which appears on Into the Blue, became Bowman’s fourth No. 1 song in 2013.
While Bowman is grateful for his accomplishments, he says his goal has always been to create music that genuinely connects with people. “I’ve always tried to make music that people could get lost into,” he says. “I wanted to take a ride and tell a story and hope every melody is a melody that they can take home and whistle, something that grabs them and doesn’t let them go.”
The Juneteenth Celebration and Resource Fair is a free community event. The afternoon will start with a helpful community resource fair, including health and educational exhibits and job fair. A Kids Zone throughout the day will feature carnival games, a robotics exhibition, horse rides, petting zoo, face painting, basketball, putt-putt golf and more. In addition to Tim Bowman, the evening concert features Phase 5, a fan favorite from Detroit that recreates Motown’s greatest hits. Also performing will be Jackson’s R&B, soul and rock band Airtight, and DJ Matt Wade. Come and join this fun, free event Saturday, June 15 at CP Federal City Square.