Henry Lowther was born in Leicester, England, in 1941. As a child Henry learned cornet from his father and took private violin lessons before going on to study with Manoug Parakian at the 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, John Mayall, Manfred Mann, Michael Garrick, Norma Winstone (in Edge Of Time), Art Themen, Alan Jackson (in the superb Kinkade), Barbara Thompson (Jubiaba), John Stevens, Mike Gibbs, Tony Coe, John Surman, Gordon Beck, John Taylor, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Brass Virtuosi as well as his own groups, Quarternity and Group Sounds Five. In 1969 Henry appeared at the famous Woodstock festival with the Keef Hartley band. Over the years Henry has worked in all areas of the British jazz scene and is one of only two or three trumpet players to have played lead trumpet for both Gil Evans and George Russell. In the sixties Henry was one of the first musicians on the British jazz scene to experiment with total free improvisation and also at this time began musical relationships with both Sir John Dankworth and Kenny Wheeler which lasted until the recent passing of both of these towering figures in music. In 1967 he played on the now legendary Wheeler album, “Windmill Tilter”. He has also worked extensively as a studio and classical musician.
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 long-running 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.
In 2017 Henry played on two tours, first with the Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra and then with Mike Gibb’s 80th Birthday Tour. He was nominated for a Parliamentary Jazz Award in the Services to Jazz category. Currently Henry composes for and plays in the London Jazz Orchestra and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music.