ABOUT THE BAND

Named after a local Chicago neighborhood, Bowmanville leans on their diverse musical backgrounds to create a truly unique and original sound.  Led by violinist Ethan Adelsman, the group features Graham Nelson on vocals and harmonica, Kevin Lipa on guitar, Jon Nadel on bass, and Andres Lopez on drums.

Embracing the spirit of musical exploration, Bowmanville draws inspiration from legendary artists like Louis Armstrong, the Grateful Dead, Django Reinhardt, the Police, and Pink Floyd, infusing their compositions with a sense of nostalgia, while imparting a distinct and edgy modern flair, garnering praise from NewCity Music, SoundVille Blog, Daily Music Spin, and more.

Performing at home and abroad, passionate originals such as “Annie & Me” soar live and intermingle with fresh takes on classics like “Georgia” and “Walking on the Moon”. Bowmanville's music speaks volumes about their message as artists: boundless joy, camaraderie, and a sincere devotion to share their musical creations with audiences far and wide. Embrace the magic of Bowmanville and let their music transport you to a realm where the boundaries of genre are blurred, and the joy of music knows no bounds.

Ethan Adelsman

Ethan was born with a violin in hand… well nearly. His love of the instrument transcends his Classical training, making him adept and equally at home in nearly any genre.  He has logged his time on the road playing searing violin pop solos with Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, as Associate Concert Master for the Western Piedmont Symphony in North Carolina, and with songwriter Tim Lowly. At home in his native Chicago, Ethan is a continually requested gigging and session musician in the Gypsy, Bluegrass, Latin Jazz, Rock, and Classical genres.  A composer and performer, his love of Hot Club jazz and eclectic music has given birth to the powerhouse combo Bowmanville. www.ethanadelsman.com

Graham Nelson

Graham Nelson is a Chicago performer, storyteller, and avant-garde jazz musician. He has been performing on stages in the US and abroad for the past 20 years, and lending the elegant, edgy, and unique sounds of his diatonic harmonica to a host of performances and recordings. With a flair for the eclectic, Graham has worked on theatrical productions and with arts collaboratives at notable venues, festivals, and concert halls. 

Kevin Lipa

Kevin Lipa is a versatile multi-instrumentalist and guitarist whose sound bridges tradition and exploration. Originally inspired by the fiery swing of Django Reinhardt, he began his musical journey in the garage rock scene of Southern California, cutting his teeth on raw energy and DIY spirit. Over time, his style deepened as he absorbed the harmonic sophistication and improvisational language of John Coltrane and Charlie Parker, blending jazz vocabulary with a wide-ranging musical curiosity.

Since relocating to Chicago in 2011, Kevin has become a dynamic presence across the city’s diverse music scene, performing in everything from straight-ahead jazz ensembles to samba groups, rock bands, and even Italian repertoire. Expanding beyond guitar, he has developed fluency on upright bass and drums, making him a sought-after collaborator in a variety of settings. He can also occasionally be found singing and playing with his independent rock and roll group, Alchemist Connections, where his eclectic influences come full circle in a sound that is both rooted and adventurous.

Jon Nadel

Jon Nadel has been an active contributor to the Chicago jazz scene and national touring circuit since 2015. Now the primary bassist for Bowmanville, Nadel played as the sole bassist for Marbin from 2015-2025. During that time, he recorded on 2 live albums and 5 studio albums, including “Fernweh,” a departure from Jazz Fusion that showcased the group’s mastery of Jazz Manouche.

Nadel leads his own modern jazz trio, featuring the bass guitar as a lead instrument. His music explores the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic capabilities of the bass with a focus on classical technique and improvisation. His debut solo album, “Urraca” was released in 2019. The trio has maintained residency at Adorn Bar & Restaurant at Four Seasons, Chicago, since 2021.

Nadel received his degree in Jazz Studies from the Jacobs School of Music (Indiana University, Bloomington, 2014), where he studied with the late great David Baker. He then took up residency with the Seth Burkhart 4 on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Nadel is also a prolific arts fundraiser, having worked on behalf of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, the Jazz Institute of Chicago, and now serves as Development Director for the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage.

Jon proudly uses Epifani Bass Guitar Amps.

Andres Lopez

Andrés López is a versatile drummer, percussionist, composer, and educator whose work moves fluidly between jazz, Latin music, and contemporary genres. Based in Chicago, his artistry is rooted in Latin American traditions, shaped by global influences, and driven by a deep commitment to performance, composition, and education.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with artists from diverse countries and musical traditions, including Alberto Plaza, Noel Schajris, Papaya Dada, Alfonso Ponticelli, Telmary & Habana Sana, Yandi Feliz, Margarita Laso, and Elif Sánchez. His album Outrospección features the acclaimed multi-Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist Dave Pietro.

Now based in Chicago, Andrés has represented Ecuador on prestigious stages across the world such as the Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), The Chicago Jazz Festival (Chicago), The University of Louisville (Louisville), The Green Mill (Chicago), Evanston SPACE (Evanston), Andy’s Jazz Club (Chicago), The Wicker Park Festival (Chicago), The Panama Jazz Festival (Ciudad de Panamá), The Cubadisco Festival (Habana), The CubaLibro Festival (Habana), IFEMA (Madrid), and Sinc Bar (New York), among many others.