Career
The group has been blending jazz with funk and punk rock music for more than three consecutive decades. Bowie is the younger brother of avant-garde jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie, and saxophonist Byron Bowie. He began his career with the Black Artists Group a musical collective from Saint Louis, then later joined the Human Arts Ensemble (founded by Charles "Bobo" Shaw), the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, and became involved with various rhythm and blues projects alongside no wave saxophonist James Chance.
He has since founded Kosen-Rufu, another musical outfit aside from Defunkt.
In 2003 Bowie moved to The Netherlands, where he lives in the small town of Gorinchem and works with a number of groups.