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Ken Fowser

New York based tenor saxophonist, Ken Fowser, has quickly developed a reputation as one of the finest jazz musicians of his generation. While building upon a strong foundation steeped in the jazz tradition, Fowser continues to develop his own unique voice and style as a saxophonist and composer. Mostly noted for his full bodied tone, linear approach to jazz harmony, and commitment to swing, Ken has already made a name for himself among local and international jazz audiences alike.

Ken has successfully held down steady weekly gigs at both the world renown Smoke and Smalls jazz clubs. For two years every Friday night at Smoke, the Ken Fowser Quintet were featured for the "Round Midnight" performance, which allowed him the opportunity to close for virtually every notable figure in jazz today. Every Tuesday evening, he hosted the jam session at Smalls jazz club. Over his four year tenure there, the session became widely regarded as one of the best jam sessions in New York City.

Fowser, along with acclaimed Vibraphonist Behn Gillece, have recorded four co-led CD's for the Posi-tone record label. Their most recent CD, entitled "Top Shelf", is due for release Spring 2013. It also features: Michael Dease - trombone, Steve Einerson - piano, Dezron Douglas - bass, and Rodney Green - drums. In addition to recordings, the Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet won the prestigious 2010 Generations International Jazz Competition in San Francisco.

Ken has worked or recorded with many of today's most respected jazz musicians. Some of which include Jimmy Cobb, David Hazeltine, Ray Drummond, Mickey Roker, Billy James, Tony Monaco, Pat Bianchi, Ugonna Okegwo, Rick Germanson, Quincy Davis, Willie Jones III, Donald Vega, David Wong, Joe Magnarelli, John Swana, Byron Landham, and more.

Ken Fowser: Morning Light

Read "Morning Light" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
April 2, 2020

Throughout Morning Light, Ken Fowser's latest Posi-Tone Records release, he poses a welcome alternative to the fast-lane excesses of some of his peers on the tenor saxophone. The first thing that sets him apart is a medium-weight tone which doesn't crave attention or take up too much room. His sound sets an example to the rest of the band and discourages an overly aggressive, no-holds-barred approach to the music as a whole. Fowser's eleven serviceable, original compositions spring from recognizable ...

Radio & Podcasts

New Music from Ken Fowser

by Bob Osborne
March 12, 2020

The featured album this week is the new release from Ken Fowser Fowser reflects upon the ephemeral aspects of nature to uncover a series of inspirations hidden in the broken fragments of our cultural existence on his latest release with a captivating program of new compositions. He continues to demonstrate a strong and well refined vision for his own music as a leader and composer that is both emotionally engaging and entertaining. With a delicate balance of modernity ...

Album Review

Ken Fowser: Don't Look Down

Read "Don't Look Down" reviewed by Paul Rauch

by Paul Rauch
March 1, 2018

Ken Fowser arrived in New York City in 2005 after being raised in the rhythmic legacy of the Philly sound. Playing with a deep harmonic sensibility, often sidestepping traditional harmony, Fowser has since created a sound that bears the pure physicality of the Philadelphia tradition refined by his experience in Gotham. His sound conjures audible images of George Coleman, as much as Philly legends Benny Golson and Jimmy Heath. His creative drive inspired by these pure jazz legacies has been ...

Album Review

Ken Fowser: Now Hear This!

Read "Now Hear This!" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan

by C. Andrew Hovan
February 7, 2017

Taking a cue from some of the other smaller jazz-based labels, Posi-Tone has done a remarkable job over the past few years of building a roster of budding talents worthy of wider recognition. Part of the allure of such an endeavor is the ability to see the evolution of an artist's muse unfolding like a rose. Those in the know have heard from tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser through his partnership with vibraphonist Behn Gillece via the four albums the two ...

Album Review

Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece: Top Shelf

Read "Top Shelf" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
May 17, 2013

The team of tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Behn Gillece has been steadily releasing music of a similar nature on the Posi-Tone label since its 2009 debut, Full View, hit the shelves. With this, the duo's fourth album, Fowser and Gillece continue along the same path with nary a stylistic sharp turn, yet this one manages to stand out because of one important difference: a third man out front. The three previous recordings were leaders-and-rhythm dates but, with Top ...

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Album Review

Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece: Duotone

Read "Duotone" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay

by Bruce Lindsay
October 26, 2011

The tenor and vibes partnership of Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece has already established its credentials as an imaginative and innovative creator of cool-swinging straight-ahead jazz. Duotone, the duo's third album, reinforces those credentials with a fresh set of original tunes. As with their previous Posi-Tone releases--Full View (2009) and Little Echo (2010)--Duotone is a quintet recording. Each albums features a different rhythm section, and whether this is a deliberate strategy or not, it gives them variation ...

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Album Review

Ken Fowser / Behn Gillece: Duotone

by Dan Bilawsky
August 21, 2011

"Duotone" is a term that belongs to the world of photography, but it makes perfect sense when applied to this recording. Tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Behn Gillece superimpose their tonal colors and personalities against one another, to create an aural portrait that's both traditional and modern. While the supporting personnel have changed on each of their three Posi-Tone dates, the basic template by which their music is designed remains, essentially, the same. On each album, ...

Performance / Tour

The Django Hosts Young, Emerging Artists As Part Of Its Inaugural 'Next Gen Series' In May

Source: AMT Public Relations
April 6, 2022

The Django, downtown Manhattan’s premier jazz club, celebrates the next generation of jazz with a special concert series this month. During the month of May, The Django welcomes rising stars as part of its new Next Gen Series. Artists include recent graduates from William Patterson University, Manhattan School of Music, SUNY/Purchase, Juilliard, The New School, Berklee College of Music, and more. In addition, you can find regular guests on our stage during May: Ken Fowser Quintet (5/6, 5/13, 5/20 and ...
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Contest

Enter the "Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece - Top Shelf" Giveaway at All About Jazz!

Source: All About Jazz
December 29, 2013

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Posi-Tone Records “Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece - Top Shelf“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on January 28th. Click here to enter the contest (Becoming a fan of Behn Gillece at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.) Good luck! Your Friends at Posi-Tone Records About Top Shelf We're only serving up the best, when the strong blend of tenor ...
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Recording

Fowser and Gillece: "Top Shelf"

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
May 3, 2013

In most cases these days, the best new jazz albums sound terrific from their opening notes. I audit about 15 new CDs daily, and in nearly every case, the most inspiring ones are exciting from the get-go. That's largely because better musicians and their producers know that in today's world of digital distractions, you have to come right out of the gate with your best stuff. Listeners no longer spend much time trying to figure out what musicians are trying ...
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Recording

Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece - Duotone (2011)

Source: Something Else!
September 16, 2011

Last year we investigated a strong post-bop excursion by the potent, up-and-coming partnership of tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Behn Gillece. Little Echo (2010) swung like mad and put into sharp focus the tight rapport of Fowser and Gillece that is at the center of their post-bop achievements. Continuing what seems to becoming tradition for the duo, the rhythm section is entirely swapped out from the prior record, yet the momentum is maintained. For this outing, Donald Vega mans ...
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Recording

Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece - Little Echo (2010)

Source: Something Else!
July 19, 2010

By PicoIt's not unusual at all for the tenor sax and the vibraphone to appear on the same jazz record; we've heard these on countless jazz recordings. But by co-leading a record, saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Behn Gillece gives us fairly rare opportunity to hear both instruments as the two lead voices sharing equal billing. Little Echo, which went on sale last Tuesday, is in fact the second album by this emerging duo, Full View being their ...
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Performance / Tour

Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet at Chris' Jazz Cafe on April 11, 2009

Source: All About Jazz
April 8, 2009

The Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet, will have a CD release party for their debut CD Full View, on April 11, 2009, at Chris' Jazz Cafe.

Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet Ken Fowser - tenor Behn Gillece - vibes Jeremy Manasia - piano Adam Cote - bass Jason Brown - drums

April 11, 2009 Sets starting @ 8 & 10 PM Chris' Jazz Cafe ...
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Performance / Tour

Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet at Smalls on March 26, 2009

Source: All About Jazz
March 23, 2009

The Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet, will have a CD release party for their debut CD Full View, on March 26, 2009, at Smalls Jazz Club.

Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet Ken Fowser - tenor Behn Gillece - vibes David Hazeltine - piano Adam Cote - bass Jason Brown - drums

Smalls Jazz Club 183 West 10th Street New York, NY Sets @ 9PM ...
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Performance / Tour

Ken Fowser Quartet @ Chris' Jazz Cafe on September 28, 2007

Source: All About Jazz
September 26, 2007

Performance / Tour

Ken Fowser @ Chris' Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia, February 16 & 17, 2007

Source: All About Jazz
February 12, 2007

Rising tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser plays the late night sets at Chris Jazz Cafe on February 16 & 17, 2007.

KEN FOWSER QUARTET Ken Fowser - sax Spike Wilner - piano Adam Cote - bass Chris Beck - drums

February 16 & 17 Sets start @ 11:30 pm Chris' Jazz Cafe 1421 Sansom St Philadelphia PA Info: 215-568-3131 ...
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Performance / Tour

Ken Fowser Quintet @ Philadelphia's Chris' Jazz Cafe on December 20, 2006

Source: All About Jazz
December 14, 2006

Ken Fowser, a tough, hard-bopping tenor saxophonist is joined by some of Philadelphia's finest musicians, as he plays Chris' Jazz Cafe on December 20, 2006.

KEN FOWSER QUINTET Ken Fowser - saxophone John Swana - trumpet Chris Beck - drums Sid Simmons - piano Madison Rast - bass

December 20, 2006 Starts @ 9 pm Chris' Jazz Cafe 1421 Sansom St
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