As a high school student in Fairfileld, Iowa; Jim Bowermaster's drumming skills earned him the title of a National Rudimental Champion.  In his senior year, he placed a "drummer for hire" ad in Downbeat and began his gigging career with area bands. 

     After attending the University of Iowa, Bowermaster decided to pursue a career in journalism, eventually landing a job with a Des Moines advertising agency in 1963. 

     After joining the West Des Moines Kiwanis Club, word got out that Bowermaster was a drummer and an Iowa jazz tradition was born - the West Des Moines Dixieland Band.  

     Although Bowermaster set down his drumsticks in 1986, he never lost his passion for music.  He was known to thousands of central Iowan's as "The Jazz Man", hosting a show for 15 years on KRNT radio. 

     Jim Bowermaster died on July 20, 2005 but his legaacy lives on in his son Kurt, also a drummer on the active dixieland scene in Iowa.