Jay Ottaway and the Ramble

It is with great sadness that I bid farewell to bandmate, friend, and mentor Dan Bowden, who passed away on January 11, 2025. I first met Dan in 2002 at the Berklee College of Music where he had a long and impactful career as a guitar teacher. We shared a love for Americana music, especially Delta Blues, Ragtime Blues and Folk Rock and I spent many happy hours as a student, learning everything I could from his vast knowledge base in his classes and private lessons.

It was one of the great honors of my life to then have Dan as a bandmate in the Jay Ottaway and The Ramble band. His easy going manner and humor always made playing with him a joy, and his magic touch made any song we played sound better.

Dan’s final months and weeks were very difficult, but his good nature and positive outlook on life always shone through whenever I visited. My fellow bandmates, Greg and Ralph and I loved him very much and miss him dearly.

Love,

Jay