Sean McGowan
Guitarist, Educator, Composer - Sean McGowan
Courtesy of Sean McGowan
Are you from Maine originally?
I'm originally from Maine, born and raised in Bangor (my family is originally from Aroostook County). I finished high school in NYC, and attended college in Boston, but my 20s were mostly spent living in Portland for about 8 years, and later in Hallowell, Rockport, and Bath. I worked for years doing every kind of gig around New England, leading my own jazz groups, and teaching at Bowdoin College and University of Maine Augusta. I left Maine in 2003 to attend grad school, and subsequently moved to Philadelphia and Los Angeles, working as a musician before moving to Denver in 2007. I'm currently a music professor at the University of Colorado Denver, and while my wife and I miss Maine terribly, it's been wonderful being a part of the vibrant music scene here in Denver and Boulder.
I first met Eric at a gig, I think, on Vinalhaven or Northaven, and we immediately hit it off. I love his art, and he's a big fan of jazz. I really connected with his spiritual and organic approach to art and life. We collaborated on a few projects mixing live music with a show of his aerial photography (he's also a pilot!) for various conservation groups around the midcoast region. Eric is a wonderful person and unique interpreter.
How did you become a musician? What inspired you?
I've loved music for as long as I can remember, and knew I wanted to become a musician from a very young age. There was actually quite a bit of live music happening in Bangor in those days, lots of clubs and festivals. I remember seeing Ray Charles at the River City festival as a kid, and later on University of Maine (in Orono) brought in influential guitarists such as Chet Atkins, Joe Pass, Michael Hedges, Barney Kessel, and many more. I was pretty serious about it, and moved to New York in high school to attend a performing arts school there in the city.
Tell me more about Damariscotta. What was the inspiration behind it and does it tell a story?
Damariscotta was written about the town and that entire beautiful region near Newcastle. I wrote the music for "River Coffee" while living on the Kennebec River, and being inspired continually throughout the seasons, by the inherent beauty of Maine's landscapes and communities. Just about every morning, I would have coffee on the back deck of my apartment overlooking the river, watch the herons and bald eagles fly over the trees and just sort of sketch out musical ideas and impressions. "River Coffee" is a collection of solo acoustic guitar music, and the title and some music were also inspired by a wonderful collection of short stories called "River Coffee and Five More" by Maine author Eliot Stanley. I discovered that book out on Monhegan Island, and really connected to its stories. The "River Coffee" album subsequently won Acoustic Guitar magazine's "Best Independent CD Release of the Year" in 2002, which also started my long relationship writing articles, lessons, and books for String Letter Media. Music from my two most recent CDs, "My Fair Lady" and "Thanksgiving & Christmas Tidings" was nominated in several first round categories for the Grammy awards when they were released.
Do you plan to launch new music?
I recently received a grant from the Boulder County Arts Council to create and record a new body of work in 2021, which I'm very excited about. Denver has a wonderful community of jazz musicians, and the tentative project title is "Union Station". The music will travel through a wide variety of different improvisational settings and styles, and feature a cast of incredible players.
Do you plan to perform live or virtually anywhere in the near future?
The global pandemic has affected everyone since last Spring, and its effects have been devastating for musicians, and indeed, just about everyone involved in every facet of the music and entertainment industry. I haven't had any live gigs since last March, though I've done several livestream events and fundraisers for various organizations around the country. Right now, I'm focusing on writing music, practicing, and of course teaching, but I so look forward to safely returning to live concerts again, both on stage and in the audience!