Jazz pianist and one of iTunes’ new artists to watch in 2014, Kris Bowers is becoming a rising star in the industry.
Bowers showed early promise as a talented musician, growing up with a passion for music, which only increased as he got older. His talents as a pianist earned him both an undergraduate and master’s degree from Julliard University with a focus on jazz performance.
After Julliard, Bowers entered and won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition in 2011 and landed a record deal with Concord Records and prompted him to launch his first solo album, “Heroes + Misfits”.
Kris has worked on some high profile projects including Jay-Z and Kanye West’s 2011 collaborative album “Watch the Throne.” Bowers’ band mates on “Heroes + Misfits” are friends of his, and they have been making music together for years.
The launch of “Heroes + Misfits,” which debuted at number one on the iTunes jazz charts, will let his own voice be heard as he shared his unique sound and style with the world. This album is a modern take on jazz music that appeals to a wide audience.
The songs on “Heroes + Misfits” are all original songs that were written specifically for this album. His song “First” is a short piano solo that sets the stage for some of his other pieces. The song “Drift” is a more traditional take on jazz, and “Wake the Neighbors” is an up-tempo song that crosses genres and inspires its audience.
He identified some of his diverse musical inspirations such as Grizzly Bear, Jeff Buckley, Radio Head, Bon Iver, Kendrick Lamar, Terrence Blanchard and Quincy Jones. The songs on “Heroes + Misfits” show the diverse nature of the album and Bowers’ variety of musical interests.
Bowers said that he frankly had no expectations.
“I anticipated that most people might have expected my music to be more straight ahead,” said Bowers in a phone interview.
It has a neo-soul aspect due to the style of one of the vocalists on the album. He also hoped that his audience respected the jazz world.
“I went into this project with no expectations,” Bowers said. “I’m just trying to see where it will take me.”
He explained that after years of performing with other people’s bands, his new role as a bandleader has given rise to many new exciting responsibilities and challenges.
“I have a new appreciation of the business,” said Bowers.
Bowers has been offered many exciting opportunities that will help make his career blossom.
Bowers’ album mainly features instrumental pieces with only a few songs featuring actual words and lyrics, but Bowers feels no difference between the songs with vocals and those without.
“As an instrumentalist, it was easy for me to play and write songs without words,” said Bowers.
For the songs that do not have words, there are poems included with the album that give a loose textual representation to the idea behind the song.
Bowers gave some advice to those wanting to get into the business: “Be honest about who you are musically.”
He also explained that even if you are not getting any recognition or success for your music, it is important to keep going and to not give up. One thing that he learned is not to care about expectations.
“Create what you want to create, and be proud of what you have created,” said Bowers.
Bowers is an exciting new addition to the music industry. Be sure to check out his new album and catch him on his U.S. tour this year.