Representative Albums: "Young Man on the Move," "You Had Better Listen," "No Escaping It"
Biography
A fine hard bop soloist, Jimmy Owens has never achieved much fame. He started on trumpet when he was ten and later on studied trumpet with Donald Byrd. Owens has played as a sideman with many major players, including Lionel Hampton (1963-1964), Hank Crawford (1964-1965), Charles Mingus, Herbie Mann, Duke Ellington, Gerry Mulligan, Count Basie, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis orchestra, and the Dizzy Gillespie reunion band (1968). He played on Billy Cobham's Spectrum album in 1973, worked extensively in Europe, was one of the founders of the Collective Black Artists, was closely involved with the Jazzmobile in New York and served on several arts commissions. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
James OwensVC (1829 - 20 August, 1901) was born in Killaine Baillieboro, County Cavan and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
On 30 October1854 at Sebastopol, in the Crimea, Corporal Owens greatly distinguished himself in a personal encounter with the Russians, and gave assistance to a lieutenant of his regiment.
