Bennie Cowan & Benzel Cowan
The Intergenerational Musical Partnership
Bennie "The General" Cowan
Bennie "The General" Cowan is part of the founding force behind the iconic P-Funk Horns. Cowan was born in 1956, raised in inner-city Baltimore, and is an example of what Baltimore City Public Schools can produce. He studied trumpet at Elementary School #141 and later enrolled in the Music Careers Program at Frederick Douglass High School. After high school, Cowan studied muisc performance at St. Mary's College of Maryland.
At St. Mary's College, Cowan formed an ensemble with his college roommate Greg Boyer and longtime friend Greg Thomas, This group would evolve into the legendary P-Funk Horns. Shortly after college, he launched his professional career performing with the Thad Jones and Mel Lewis Orchestra. That was just the beginning. Later, Cowan joined Parliament-Funkadelic during a run of sucessful hits including their #1 hit "Flashlight."
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Cowan has become a cornerstone of the P-Funk sound, known for his strong tone, rhythmic precision, and commanding stage presence. He has contributed to classic Parliament albums such as Motor Booty Affair and Trombipulation, and has toured extensively around the world, performing on major stages and with a wide range of influential artists.
His credits include collaborations and performances with George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, The Gap Band, Cameo, Mtume, Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers, The Brides of Funkenstein, Parlet, Raphael Saadiq, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many others.
In addition to live performance and recording work, Cowan has appeared on numerous television programs, including Saturday eNight Live, The Tonight Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, Soul Train, Late Show with David Letterman, Ellen, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame premiere broadcast. He has also performed on multiple Grammy Awards shows and appeared in the film P.C.U.
Beyond his work as a performer, Cowan leads his own projects, including Bennie Cowan and The Real BrassTaxx, continuing to push forward horn-driven funk traditions. He is also dedicated to community and cultural impact, founding the Baltimore Funk Foundation, which has been recognized with a mayoral salute from the City of Baltimore. In recognition of his contributions to music, he has received a Lifetime Achievement honor from the Recording Academy.
Cowan’s musical legacy continues through his son, drummer Benjamin "Benzel" Cowan, a member of the P-Funk All-Stars. Today, Bennie "The General" Cowan remains an active performer, mentor, and Conn-Selmer Artist, carrying forward a tradition of funk, innovation, and excellence.
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.
