Bennie Cowan & Benzel Cowan
The Intergenerational Musical Partnership
Bennie "The General" Cowan
Bennie "The General" Cowan is a respected trumpet player and longtime member of the Parliament-Funkadelic (P-Funk) family. Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1956, he has spent over 40 years performing and recording music. Over time, he has become an important part of the funk sound that has influenced generations.
While attending Frederick Douglass High School and later St. Mary’s College, Cowan met Greg Thomas and Greg Boyer. These musicians would go on to become key members of the P-Funk Horns, the brass section behind George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. Since joining the group in the late 1970s, Cowan has helped shape the band’s powerful live shows and recordings with his strong tone and steady, rhythmic style.
Throughout his career, Cowan has toured around the world and performed on major stages. His experience and dedication have made him a trusted and respected musician within the P-Funk community and beyond. He has played on many well-known albums, including classic Parliament releases like Motor Booty Affair and Trombipulation. He has also worked with a wide range of artists, such as The Gap Band, Bootsy Collins, Cameo, Mtume, and Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers.
In addition to performing, Cowan has explored his own creative projects, releasing music with his group and leading horn-based work. He is also part of a strong musical legacy as the father of drummer Benjamin “Benzel” Cowan, who continues the family tradition as a member of the P-Funk All-Stars.
Cowan is currently a Conn Selmer Artist
Benjamin "Benzel Baltimore" Cowan
Born into a musical family, Benzel is the son of legendary trumpet player Bennie "The General" Cowan. He began playing drums at age 2 and started performing professionally by 15. He studied with respected drummers such as Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Pat Petrillo, and Horacio Hernandez, and was later mentored by P-Funk drummer Dennis Chambers.
Benzel Cowan represents the forward-looking side of the project. As a drummer and producer, he carries the rhythmic DNA of Parliament-Funkadelic into a present-day performance identity shaped by collaboration, new media, and younger audiences.
His role gives the foundation a living future. The music is not positioned as nostalgia alone, but as a handoff across generations where the groove remains deep, physical, and current.He is best known as the touring drummer for George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, a role he has held for over 15 years. Known for his strong groove and high-energy style, Benzel blends funk and jazz into a powerful and expressive sound.
Benzel has performed on major stages around the world, including Woodstock '99, the Essence Festival, and Jazz in Vienne. He has shared the stage with artists such as Sheila E., Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Pat Metheny. As a Ludwig Artist, Benzel also shares his work online and has contributed to projects like Medicaid Fraud Dogg.
