The Bosman Twins

Florida A&M University music scholars, Dwayne Bosman and Dwight Bosman are composers, arrangers, jazz artists and music educators.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Dwayne’s and Dwight’s passion for jazz started at an early age. They grew up listening to the sounds of great jazz artists such as Earl “Fatha” Hines, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and their father Lloyd Smith, who was a well known businessman and a side man in Basie’s and Ellington’s orchestras. Paula V. Smith, the twins’ mother and the first African American Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division for the U.S. Department of Labor under the Regan Administration, was also an avid jazz lover. Influenced by famous musicians, like family friends, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker, by age 14 the twins were performing professionally as The Bosman Twins. Over the years, The Bosman Twins have shared their love of music and the stage with entertainment legends Freddie Cole, Branford Marsalis, Fontella Bass, Roy Ayers, David Peaston and the late trumpeter, Lester Bowie. Whether performing with their own band or accompanying other notable jazz professionals, their unique style and renditions of jazz, rhythm and blues, funk and gospel have earned them national and international acclaim.

Recipients of the “Harmon How to Listen” and the Missouri Folk Art grants (Dwayne), the twins have traveled across the country in their roles as music directors and champions of youth music education. Through the development and implementation of jazz workshops, seminars and classical music programs, The Bosman Twins demonstrate a sincere commitment and dedication to urban youth through community service. The Bosman Twins foster an environment where students discover their personal potential and talent. Their students learn to appreciate and respect the talents and abilities of others. They are encouraged to develop high self esteem and to maintain excellence in their musical endeavors. Dwayne is the former (retired) Music Director at Crossroads College Preparatory School in St. Louis. Dwight, Band Director and Music Educator for more than 30 years, is retired from the St. Louis Public School District.

In April of 2015, The “Legendary” Bosman Twins released their first album of original music, entitled “When Lions Roar” and from the album “Many Moons,” a cinematic jazz video was released. During their inaugural CD release weekend, The Bosman Twins sold out all 4 shows at The Ferring Jazz Bistro, inside the Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz.

The Bosman Twins are extremely proud and grateful for awards and recognitions received and opportunities provided to share their music with the rest of the world. Most recently, they received two distinguished awards in November 2015. The Bosman Twins were inducted into the St. Louis Jazz Hall of Fame and received the George Smith Diversity Award from the Musicians’ Association of St. Louis Local 2-187. In 2009 The Bosman Twins received the Legend Award from the St. Louis Argus Foundation and were recognized by the St. Louis City Chapter of the NAACP as being among the “100 Most Inspiring St. Louisians”. In May of 2010, The Bosman Twins traveled to Stuggart, Germany with City of St. Louis Mayor, Francis Slay and delegation, where they opened The American Days Festival at the U.S. Consulate General performing for DPO Doria Rosen and other illustrious guests.

These distinguished gentlemen of jazz are composers, arrangers, recording and performing artists who share in the legacy and tradition of great jazz through education, creativity and innovation. The Bosman Twins are true ambassadors of music.

Other Awards and Recognitions

2014 “A Conversation with The Bosman Twins” - St. Louis Magazine- December Issue 2013 Best Jazz Artist in St. Louis – Riverfront Times 2011 Excellence in the Performing Arts – Better Family Life, Incorporated 2010 Opening “The American Days – Twin Cities Festival in Stuggart, Germany 2009 NAACP 100 Most Inspiring St. Louisans 2009 Legend Awards – St. Louis Argus foundation Salute to Excellence in the Arts Award - Links, St. Louis Chapter Salute to Black Men Award – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Artists in Residence – State of Vermont, Fontella Bass and the Bosman Twins Salute to Black Men Award – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Young Black Achievers Award – Iota Lambda Sorority, Alpha Zeta Chapter (1999) Voted “The Best Jazz Band” by the “People’s Poll” – Riverfront Times 1996 and 1997 Ebony Magazine – Featured Artist (1998) National Geographic Magazine – Featured Artist (1996) Celebrity Star Walk – Sir Winston Churchill Pub, (1990) in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Featured on KETC/TV “Skyline Salutes the Sheldon” Emmy Award KETC/TV and Andy Ruhlin “Jazz AT THE MOOSE” Featuring the Bosman Twins Music Directors for Adolph Coors Companies “Climb UP TO COORS” Talent Contest

Career Tour Highlights

Vienna Jazz Festival – Vienna, Austria Lavallette’ Jazz Festival – Paris, France The Soho Jazz Festival – London, England St. Louis Blues Festival – St. Louis, MO Juneteenth Heritage & Jazz Festival – Tulsa, OK The Congressional Black Caucus Annual Conference - Washington, D.C. 18th & Vine Heritage Jazz Festival – Kansas City, MO American Days Festival Twin Cities Festival – Stuggart, Germany

Discography

Fontella Bass Live in Italy Fontella Bass & the Voices of St. Louis – “Travellin” The Bosman Twins Play Standards When Lions Roar – The Bosman Twins Show less