Those We Lost — August 15

Honoring those we lost on August 15 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind.

Erbie Bowser

Born May 5, 1918 — died Aug 15, 1995

Blues and jazz pianist, singer, bandleader, and keeper of the Texas piano tradition.

Bowser spent decades performing boogie-woogie, blues, and jazz across Texas, including the clubs and communities of East Austin. His rhythmic, deeply rooted playing connected older barrelhouse traditions with later generations and helped preserve a distinctive Black Texas musical heritage.

Bobby Hutcherson

Full name: Robert Hutcherson

Born Jan 27, 1941 — died Aug 15, 2016

Jazz vibraphonist, marimba player, composer, and bandleader.

Hutcherson expanded the expressive range of the vibraphone through lyrical four-mallet playing, advanced harmony, and fearless improvisation. His Blue Note recordings with Eric Dolphy, Andrew Hill, Jackie McLean, and his own groups placed him at the center of modern jazz innovation.