David Mowat
Jazz Trumpeter & Composer
David Mowat is a highly accomplished, Bristol-based jazz trumpeter, bandleader and composer known for his evocative, thought-provoking original compositions and a sensitive, deeply expressive playing style. A vital fixture of the South West music scene since 1989, David has spent decades building intriguing, cross-cultural musical collaborations that push the boundaries of contemporary jazz.
He is the founder and driving force behind the acclaimed Bristol European Jazz Ensemble (BEJE), a collective uniting exceptional international jazz musicians living in the South West. Known for its “Coltrane-ish jazz ecstasy”, BEJE has embarked on major international performance tours, including government-backed arts collaborations in South Korea.
David’s vast compositional portfolio spans across multiple successful ensembles, including the globally conscious acoustic group Chai For All, the Mowat & Farnon Quintet, and his spellbinding global-fusion project alongside Malian kora master Moussa Kouyate.
Beyond his stellar work on the festival and club circuit, David is a committed cultural activist, regularly organizing inclusive community initiatives like the Cotham Club and utilizing the power of music to bridge international communities. Whether delivering heavy hard-bop lines or painting quiet, impressionistic sonic landscapes, his crystal-clear trumpet tone remains a foundational pillar of the contemporary Bristol sound.
