b. Thomas Henry Lowther, 11 July 1941, Leicester, England. As a child Lowther learned trumpet from his father and took private violin lessons before going on to study with Manoug Parakian at London’s Royal Academy of Music. Influenced by sources as varied as Indian music, Karlheinz Stockhausen, King Oliver, Weather Report and the Average White Band, from the mid-60s on he worked with Mike Westbrook, the New Jazz Orchestra, Keef Hartley, John Mayall, Manfred Mann, Michael Garrick, Norma Winstone (in Edge Of Time), John Dankworth, Art Themen, Alan Jackson (in the superb Kinkade), Barbara Thompson (Jubiaba), John Stevens, Kenny Wheeler, Mike Gibbs, Tony Coe, John Surman, Gordon Beck, Gil Evans, John Taylor, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Brass Virtuosi as well as his own groups, Quarternity and Group Sounds Five. That list is in itself a testimony to Lowther’s versatility and craftsmanship. As well as playing trumpet, flügelhorn, cornet and violin Lowther has composed for jazz and orchestral groups. A rare solo album was completed in 1970 and issued on the Deram Records label. In the early 90s Lowther formed his own band Stillwaters to enable him to pursue his interest in composition. The ensemble included bass player Dave Green, drummer Paul Clarvis, pianist Pete Saberton and saxophonist Julian Argüelles, released an album in 1998.