Born 27th April, 1978, Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire.

Begins piano lessons aged 9 then takes up alto saxophone and drums.

In 1997/98 has arrangements performed and recorded by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and writes a selection of jazz arrangements for schools for the publisher Harlequin Music. In 1999, moved to Leeds and gains Bmus(Hons) in Jazz and Contemporary musics at Leeds College of Music.  Wins numorous college awards including the 'John Scheerer Prize' for drums, the 'Friends Prize' for composition and for four years running was the holder of the 'Yorkshire Television Prize for Arranging' which culminated in a TV appearance where a specially written piece was performed by Phil's quintet.

 

As a member of the Al Wood bigband, arrangement of 'Tune Up' was recorded for BBC Radio 2 and in both 2002/2003 Phil was awarded the BBC Bigband Competion; Arrangers prize'. In the following year, BBC Radio 2 broadcast arrangement of 'Lover Man' performed by BBC Soloist of the Year, Damian Cook . In 2005, wrote arrangements for 'The Bobby Darin Songbook' which subsequently toured the UK.

More recently, the Oldham Symphony Orchestra perfomed 'Minerva Nights', a piece commisioned by guest conductor Adam Robinson for a concert in November, 2007.     Also in November 2007, won the Yorkshire Composers Competition run by the Sinfonia of Leeds. The winning piece, 'Orch.1',  was performed at the Great Hall, Leeds University on 14th June 2008, conducted by David Greed.

 

Phil has considerable experience as a working musician having completed two summer seasons at the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom; three month residency in Westerndorff, Austria; National tour of 'Annie' with Su Pollard; pantomimes at Leeds Civic Theatre and Lincoln's Theatre Royal; Two years touring with Greg Francis' 'Kings of Swing'. Also performed with (amongst others) 'The New Squadranaires', 'The Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra', 'John Miller and his Orchestra',  'The Nick Ross Orchestra' , 'The Jonathan Wyatt Bigband' and Andy Prior.

 

On the jazz circuit, Phil has performed with many fine musicians including Mike Walker, Gerard Presencer, Don Weller, Dave Liebman, Bob Mintzer, Tina May , Lee Gibson,  Bruce Adams, and Dave O'Higgins.