There can be few better known organists faces on the highways and by ways of the internet than Kevin Bowyer’s. He is often seen with his characteristic smiling face ‘beaming’ at the virtual audience.
I first met Kevin in about 2003. He came to my home to offer guidance and advice to a young St Albans candidate. The visit is memorable on 2 accounts.
Kevin is a man with a gentle and unassuming personality
Firstly Kevin is as endearing in person as his images would suggest. A large man but a very gentle and unassuming personality despite his prodigious stature as an organist and musician.
Secondly was his car. Musicians in general and organists in particular do not enter the profession to make a fortune so I am used to seeing vehicles that many other more affluent amongst us would have long earlier cast away. On that day Kevin’s car was amongst that group.
I recall thinking as he drove away up the small incline from our home to the main road the combination of his size and note from the engine may well mean he was going to stay for the rest of the day. Eventually however the chug of the engine faded into the distance and it would be many years before I saw Kevin again.
Carol Williams and Kevin Bowyer play battle of the organs
Our next encounter was at the Caird Hall in Dundee. Kevin and Carol Williams agreed to play an organ battle for us and what a great job they both did. I hope Carol will not mind if I say she is a professional ‘show girl’ owning the stage as she then did at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in San Diego.
How would she and the more reserved Kevin get on I wondered? They were a tour deforce. They played off each other and the audience and it was quite clear that Kevin had just as much of a showman in him when it was needed. There were some great one liners and friendly put downs adding to the fun of the evening.
Kevin Bowyer publishes his first book
And now Kevin reveals another side to his talents. The unchallenged master of the works of Sorabji has now added ‘published author’ to his list of achievements.
Listed on Amazon it is catalogued amongst the ‘paranormal ghost romance ‘and ‘ghost horror’ categories. No doubt all those late evenings playing in our great cathedral buildings listening to things that go bump in the night have inspired another creative line in Kevin’s work.
The book is called “The House on Boulby Cliff” and you can buy it on Amazon. I am sure it will be a great read. Do buy one yourself and pass this information on to your musical and ghostbuster friends.
I have had a passion for church organs since the tender age of 12. I own and run Viscount Organs with a close attention to the detail that musicians appreciate; and a clear understanding of the benefits of digital technology and keeping to the traditional and emotional elements of organ playing.
