Thomas "Beans" Bowles

He played the saxophone and flute on several Motown/Tamla hits by such artists as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and The Supremes.

In the early 1960s, Berry Gordy brought Bowles into his fledgling company in the artist management division, where he mentored dozens of the label's young stars. Bowles chaperoned their tours, taught them the ropes of show business and how to behave on the road.

Bowles composed the harmonica solo for Stevie Wonder’s first hit, “Fingertips Part I” and arranged his “Fingertips Part II.” The versatile musician also played the flute solos on Gaye’s “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” and “What’s Goin’ On,” and played saxophone for the Supremes’ hit “Baby Love” and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas’ “Heat Wave.” He passed away in January 2000.