A Town Like No Other
Geoffrey Lowe “A town like no other”
Geoffrey Lowe was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado. Both of his parents were very musical and they encouraged him to study piano when he was in the 3rd grade and then later the violin. In the 5th grade, Geoff learned bass but continued studying the violin, as his primary instrument, all the way through college. After graduating from Colorado State in Fort Collins, he starting playing the upright bass and gained more opportunities to perform. Geoff says he now plays the “big violin”.
Lowe wanted to move to a town with more music so, in 1978, he chose Chicago with its famous Chicago Blues scene. He immediately started performing with a lot of groups, especially the Brazilian music community, learning blues and jazz.
He enjoyed Chicago and live performances, concerts, and recordings kept him very busy. In 1990, Geoff met his future wife, Jennifer on a bandstand at a huge orchestra concert. She played violin and lived in Milwaukee. They were instant friends but it didn’t become romantic until almost seven years later. Now, they live the perfect musical life together.
They are celebrating their 25th year of wintering in Key West. Chicago slows down in the frozen winter season with less work. In 2000, Geoff and Jennifer started spending winters in Key West. Initially, it was just a vacation at first enjoying the great food, listening to music, and meeting the musicians, it was a natural progression for them to completely dovetail into the Key West music scene. They love the way the entire community supports the arts, especially the music community with our “One Human Family” motto.
Geoff cited his years of experience with many of our wonderful musicians, especially the ones that are no longer with us – Bill Blue, George Victory, Yvan Agbo, Tim McAlpine, Lonnie Jacobson, and his good buddy, and fellow bassist Wayne Hammond. He continues to perform with many of his Key West friends like Robin Kaplan, Ericson Holt, Skipper Kripitz, Joe Dallas, Carmen Rodriquez, and, a transplanted Chicagoan, Libby York. Visiting musician, saxophonist Tim Mayer lovingly refers to the trio of Skipper, Geoff, and himself as the “Schmoinkies”.
Geoff recalls meeting new musicians that move to Key West every year. Lately, he has met a number of young new female performers and feels the “girl power” on this island is becoming strong. The Key West music future is secure.
He has worked on at least four albums with Larry Smith, recorded with Bill Blue, and many others. Geoff preformed at the last Sunday Ramble at the Key West Theater in February 2020, just before COVID shutdown the world. He always loved the original music that was featured.
Everyone performs with everyone in Key West. They all know each other’s original music as well as the covers that are played. Geoff cites that as “proof” that this is a music community not a bunch of individual musicians. Music is integrated into the social fabric of Key West. It takes the right type of musician to integrate into the music scene, to make friends, and be a friend. To Geoff, the Key West Music Awards present a great example of our music community. He cites, a musician may win an award but there are no losers – everyone is celebrated.
Most visitors are from bigger towns with a bigger music scenes. All are amazed at our vibrant music community. Nowhere in the world but Key West can a short walk lead to 10 different music venues. I’ve always wondered how some musicians can perform eight times a week and still do it so well. To Geoff, the answer is, “It’s about love. It’s not a job. They are doing what they love.” He feels the Key West music scene is constantly refreshed by the beautiful people that this island attracts.
Geoff has never had a regular job – he’s been a musician all his life. Most musicians don’t retire at 65. He feels music is life, it feeds your soul. Music transcends race, creed, language, country of origin and, according to Geoff, musicians get to experience the “language of the human soul”. Musicians come from everywhere to share music with each other, and “just don’t play that game” referring to prejudice of any form. They all share a musical bond.
Music is the most amazing and mysterious of all the arts. Musicians continue to get better technically, to channel this beautiful thing called music. It’s almost magical. Musicians have an effect on their audience but likewise the audience has an effect on the musician. Geoff feels a solo player, which is becoming more common in Key West, gives an intimate look and feel into their music and style – and their musical soul.
Geoff states music is something that all humans are “hardwired for.” How is it possible that music can bring people to amazing deep emotional states? He feels it’s a mystery within the human genome.
The legendary band Chicago, who celebrated 50 years together in 2018, performed to a sold-out crowd at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater last Friday night. Geoff’s wife Jennifer and her group, Cover Girls, are the only women to every have performed on stage with Chicago. Geoff had another gig but Jennifer was in the audience.
Every year when Geoff and Jennifer are driving out of Key West to return home. There will be a moment when they look at each other as they are leaving, and one of them will undoubtedly say, “A town like no other.”
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