Calvin Owens

Calvin Owens (April 23, 1929 – February 21, 2008) was an American blues trumpeter, bandleader, and composer/arranger.[1] Owens grew up in Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood and was influenced by Louis Armstrong.[2] At various times, Owens worked alongside B.B. King, Pete Mayes, T-Bone Walker, Amos Milburn, David "Fathead" Newman, Arnett Cobb, Junior Parker, Otis Turner, Willie Nelson and Johnny Bush.[3]

Early life and career

The son of Blanche Ware and adopted father Sam Owens; Owen's mother, who was from New Orleans, related to Calvin her memories of Louis Armstrong playing in the jazz city when she was a young teenager. Having become fascinated with the instrument, Owens worked odd jobs and saved enough money to buy his first instrument at the age of 13.[2]

Owens graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1949 but had, by that time, already started playing professionally.[4]

Collaborations with B.B. King

Having played professionally in Houston, including at the Eldorado from 1950 to 1953 as well as being the audio and recording director for Peacock Records, Owens was hired by B. B. King in two periods — from 1953 until 1957 and later from 1978 to 1984.[2]

Death

Sometimes known as the Maestro, Owens died on February 21, 2008, from renal failure, at the age of 78.[3]

References
  1. Skelly, Richard. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  2. Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Blues (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 286. ISBN 0-85112-673-1.
  3. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2008 January to June". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  4. Govenar, Alan (2008). Texas Blues: The Rise of a Contemporary Sound. Texas A&M University Press. p. 274. ISBN 9781585446056.
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