William “Chuk” Fowler, 83, a longtime member of Local 802, died on Feb. 1, 2025. He was a luminary, gifted musician, composer, and arranger, compassionate healer, disciplined martial artist, and dedicated educator whose very presence graced this world with music, healing and a genuine, sincere love for humanity.

Born William Edward Fowler on April 20,1941 in Harlem, N.Y. to Hattie Montgomery and Mitchell Fowler, Chuk entered the world at a time that evidenced the development and heights of both World War II and the Harlem Renaissance! From an early age his extraordinary artistic talent was evident. At just four years old, his mother bought him a toy piano, sparking his love affair with the instrument. She later gifted him with an upright piano, setting the stage for his lifelong musical journey.

The loss of his mother in 1960 led Chuk to a period of homelessness. Yet, through the grace and guidance of community elders (his “Dutch uncles”), he found guidance, support and encouragement. Their mentoring led him to Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, where he pursued studies in music.

In 1963, Chuk Fowler (playing trombone) enlisted in the U.S. Army Band Division, traveling extensively across Europe providing entertainment to U.S. troops. Upon returning to New York in the mid-1960s, Judge Albert R. Murray, Sr. introduced Chuk to the NYC Board of Education, where he spent over 30 years as a dedicated music educator. Functioning as a single parent to his daughter Selena Dawn, Chuk simultaneously taught high school and pursued a Mmster’s degree in Education at St. John’s College.

Under the tutelage of Edward Boatner (father of saxophonist Sonny Stitt), Chuk honed his skills, mastering multiple instruments, including the trombone and string bass, before returning to his first love — the keyboard. He immersed himself in Harlem’s legendary jazz scene, frequenting iconic venues such as the Apollo Theatre, Small’s Paradise, The Cotton Club, and Minton’s Playhouse. There, he crossed paths with jazz greats Kenny Dorham, Hank Mobley, Billy Higgins, Miles Davis and Wilbur Ware. Chuk has played in jazz clubs, private venues, and community celebrations. In time, Chuk formed and led his own band “Chuk Fowler and Higher Energy.” Their sound fused African, Native American, Latin, Caribbean, and Asian influences, producing albums such as Up from the Roots (1999), It Feels Good to Feel Good (2008), and Homage (2017). In addition, his unpublished discography of meditative music reflects his deep, yet humble spiritual connection to Nature and the omnipresent cosmos.

In 1998, Chuk’s love of life led him to the love of his life. He met and consequently married New York attorney Kim Ashby . Their marriage was deeply rooted in shared values, zealous respect and appreciation for culture and tradition, genuine concern and affection for all “good” people of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, and a prolific commitment and evident great love for each other. Together, they raised a blended family in Freeport, NY, and became active members of the Stearns Park community, championing local political involvement, cultural arts and youth education.

Chuk’s zeal for life extended beyond music. While attending Seward Park High School on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, he encountered the neighboring Chinese community, which sparked a lifelong fascination with martial arts. He studied Tai Chi Chuan under Grandmaster William CC Chen; and from 2009 to 2024 trained in Xinyi Dao (a system that integrates internal martial arts with modern combat techniques) under the tutelage of Grandmaster Li Tai Liang. Over the years, Chuk practiced such disciplines as Karate, Kyudo, and Tai Chi. Through these martial arts Chuk embraced and modeled their philosophies of continuous physical, spiritual, and moral upliftment and development.

Chuk’s continued quest and love of holistic healing and wisdom led him to study various indigenous systems and traditions under such adepts as Curandera Starr Fuentes, godmother Iyanifa Seona Omi Okan Richardson (Yorùbá tradition of Nigeria, West Africa), godsister Atilah Kadijah Yaa Oyere Nikhohoi Odedefaa Wilson Manyansa (Eedyi tradition, Sénégal-Mali, West Africa), Reiki master Lydia Federico, and master priest and renowned author Malidoma Patrice Somé (Dagara traditional intuitive practices of Burkina Faso, West Africa). Receiving the name “Spirit Eagle” via his Cherokee lineage, Chuk was an active contributing member of the National Alliance of Native Americans Longhouse, maintaining strong ties to the Long Island, New York indigenous community.

Chuk’s impact extended even beyond music and martial arts. In 2017, Chuk founded the Cross-Cultural Connection (CCC), an organization dedicated to integrating arts, culture, and healing within the Long Island community. He was also a dedicated member of the Long Island Arts Council, the African Atlantic Genealogy Society, the Local 802 Musicians Union, and the 55+ Club, just to name a few. Through his work, Chuk Fowler ensured that live music, historical knowledge, and healing practices remained accessible to everyday residents of New York City and Long Island.

Chuk Fowler’s life was a masterpiece — a symphony of resilience, wisdom, passion, commitment and boundless generosity. Although he has departed this earthly realm,
his spirit resonates in every note he played, every lesson he taught, and every soul he touched, leaving behind a legacy as rich and vibrant as the melodies he crafted.

Chuk leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life: loving wife and best friend Kim Ashby Fowler; daughter Selena Fowler Keegan; son-in-law Geoff Keegan; sons August and Ivory Harris; granddaughters Alexandra and Cameron Keegan; sisters Augusta Van Duzen, Susan Fowler Maven (Vince), Sandra Fowler Jackson and Tina Fowler Powell (Audley); brother Matthew Fowler; brother-in-law Samuel Ashby (Lisa); and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, in-laws, and extended family.

Rest in peace, power and harmony, William “Chuk” Fowler. Through the ancestors and all of us who know, honor, and love you, your music, wisdom, memory, praise, and amazing love will resound forever!

Obituary submitted by Chuk Fowler’s family.