Jimmy Bowskill (born 16 September 1990) is a Canadian blues singer, guitarist and bassist.
Early life Bowskill grew up in Bailieboro, a small village near Peterborough, Ontario,where he learned to play guitar.Reaney, James. "Age not an issue for Bowskill". CANOE - Jam!. 15 October 2009.
Career Bowskill began performing at a young age, and first played on stage at age 11 at Jeff Healey's club in Toronto. "They wouldn’t let an 11-year-old inside his club, so I started busking on the side-walk outside," he recalled in Guitar Player Magazine "Jeff heard about me, invited me in to play, and I did pretty well. I got a lot of gigs and exposure just from that one night."
Bowskill's second album, Soap Bars & Dog Ears, was nominated for a Juno Award when he was 14.Espinoza, Victoria. "Jimmy Bowskill: Back Number Review". Blues Rock Review, 11 May 2012
In 2005, he was presented with a Maple Blues Award as Best New Artist of the Year."The Jimmy Bowskill Band" , CBC Music
In 2010, he toured in Europe with Joe Bonamassa and Jeff Beck.Harrison, John. "3 J’s – 3 Different Blues" . English Network DE, 21 July 2010. He also performed locally at the Belleville Blues Festival.Miller, Jason. "Belleville blues festival included Juno nominee Jimmy Bowskill" . The Whig, 22 March 2010
In 2009, he released his first live album, Jimmy Bowskill Band Live.
In 2012, Bowskill introduced his album Back Number at the Kincardine Lighthouse Blues Festival.Sutter, Sarah. "Kincardine Lighthouse Blues Fest to feature rising blues star" .The album was Kincardine News, 19 July 2012. The album was recorded at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario. He also performed at the Windsor International BluesFestDurnbeck, Lou. "Bluesfest 2012 – A Review" . In Retro Magazine 17 July 2012. and at the All-Canadian Jazz Festival in Port Hope with the Ganaraska Sheiks."Port Hope Summer Bandshell Concert Series starts June 18". Northumberland News, Jun 10, 2015
While on tour in 2009, the Jimmy Bowskill Band included Wayne Deadder on bass and Dan Neill on drums.Bass, Dale. "Bowskill has mad skill" Kamloops This Week, 21 May 2009 In 2012, the band members were Ian McKeown on bass and Dan Reiff on drums."John’s Blues Picks". Toronto Blues Society, June 2012'.
From 2015-22, Bowskill was a member of the Canadian rock band, The Sheepdogs, playing lead, rhythm and pedal steel guitar."Serious on stage, Sheepdogs Ewan Currie may be pulling your leg when asked 10 questions". London Free Press, March 1, 2016"The Sheepdogs take the stage at Isaac’s" . Brock Press, March 7, 2016
In 2016, Blue Rodeo released their album, 1000 Arms, with Bowskill contributing on two tracks. By the time Blue Rodeo released their next album, Many a Mile, in 2021, Bowskill was a full member of the band.
In 2023, Bowskill released Too Many Roads with singer-songwriter Brittany Brooks, whom he later married.
In 2024, Bowskill released Blissful State of Mind with Brooks.
Discography Solo albums Old Soul Curtis, Joe. "Concert review: Jimmy Bowskill Guest Hosted the Healey’s Thurs. Special Guest Night". Jazz Review.29 January 2011 (2003) Jimmy Bowskill (2007) Jimmy Bowskill Band LiveFeenstra, Pete. " JIMMY BOWSKILL BAND Live RUF 1158 (2010)". Get Ready to RockTucker, Mark S. "FAME Review: Jimmy Bowskill - The Jimmy Bowskill Band Live". Acoustic Music (2009) Back NumberRoss, Lionel. THE JIMMY BOWSKILL BAND Back Number". Blues in the Northwest, 27 February 2012.Kempft, Mike. "Jimmy Bowskill / Back Number". Rock Times, 4 January 2012. (2012).
With the Jimmy Bowskill Band Soap Bars & Dog Ears (2004)
With Carlos del Junco Blues Etc... (2016)
With The Sheepdogs Changing Colours (2018) No Simple Thing (2021) Live At Lee's (2022) Outta Sight (2022)
With Blue Rodeo Many a Mile (2021)
As Brooks & Bowskill (With Brittany Brooks) Too Many Roads (2023) Blissful State of Mind (2024)
References
External links Jimmy Bowskill discography at Discogs Brooks & Bowskill