Reggae music’s colourful characters overshadow low-key personalities like Winston “Bo Pee” Bowen, the veteran guitarist who died on March 26 in Kingston.

Bowen, who succumbed to a heart attack, built a formidable catalogue as a session musician from the 1970s at Channel One when he played on Leroy Smart’s Ballistic Affair. In the days before his death, he did his usual rounds, recording with Kiddus I and backing singer Kimmy Gold on a live radio show.

Kiddus I knew Bowen for over 40 years but first recorded with him during the 1990s on the Inna Di Yard acoustic series. They toured Europe recently with a new version of that group, and had visited Venezuela in February, where they did a show.

The unrest in Venezuela inspired Kiddus I to write the song Hands Off Venezuela, which he recorded at Mixing Lab studio in Kingston with Bowen, singer Cedric Myton, keyboardist Franklin “Bubbler” Waul and bassist Errol “Flabba Holt” Carter.

“The spirit of the man was beautiful, calm, spiritual. A beautiful brother…one of the most amicable musicians out there,” said Kiddus I in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Drummer Kush McAnuff of Uprising Roots Band, who also played on Hands Off Venezuela, remembers “Uncle Bo Pee” as a “father, one of my best friends”. He knew him for over 20 years, having first met him through his own father, singer Winston McAnuff.

“Winston ‘Bo Pee’ Bowen was one of the sweetest persons, one of the humblest musicians I know. In the heights of his playing and reasoning, he was always talking about the Most High and creation in its highest,” McAnuff told the Observer.

He gave an example of Bowen’s selflessness.

“In 2009, we (Uprising Roots) asked Bo Pee to play some tracks on our first album called Sky Fiya and after the session he asked if we had any steady guitarist in the band. We told him no, then him sey, ‘Look no more, I will be the lead guitarist for the band’ because this was the type of sound he was looking for,” McAnuff recalled.

Bowen was from the Maxfield Avenue area of Kingston. He cut his musical teeth as a member of the Young Professionals Band, which was once managed by current entertainment minister Olivia Grange.

In the late 1970s, Bowen was part of The Professionals house band at producer Joe Gibbs’ studio. They backed artistes such as Dennis Brown, George Nooks and Culture on numerous hit songs.

He was also a member of Lloyd Parks and We The People, 809 and Firehouse Crew bands. At the time of his death, Bowen was involved with Inna De Yard, a roots troupe which is the focus of a documentary directed by Oscar-nominated Peter Webber.

Trombonist Evrol Wray, who knew Bowen for over 30 years, said his humility will be missed.

“He was a very smooth-playing guitarist with a lot of clarity, who was willing to share with his peers and upcoming musicians. Very humble and kind person, who give of his time to help upcoming artistes and bands.”

The funeral service for Winston “Bo Pee” Bowen takes place April 27 at New Life Assembly of God Church in Kingston. Service starts at 11:00 am.