Phil's musical career is marked by stellar accomplishments. He began studying piano at age 7 and by age 10 had made his Carnegie Hall debut. He won numerous awards throughout his young career, including summa cum laude honors from the Music Educators' Council of New Jersey. He went on to become conductor of the Pingry School Chamber Orchestra and Choirs, performing with them throughout Europe.
Originally from East Orange, New Jersey, Phil received a full music scholarship to Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio, where he wrote his first gold record, "Are You Single" for Aurra on RCA/Salsoul.
Since then Phil has worked-- as record producer, composer, arranger, musical director and performer-- with countless major artists on countless major recording projects. An R&B veteran, he became a key member of the group Mtumeand co-wrote songs for the smash hit album, "Juicy Fruit." He went on to write and produce songs for many top artists including Toni Braxton's multi-platinum hit "How Many Ways."
His early film and television credits include Universal television's "New York Undercover" and feature films "Native Son" and "Jason's Lyric." His collaborations include a wide range of artists-- Mavis Staples, Nancy Wilson, Gerald Levert-- and encompass many genres, from Broadway actor James Naughton to jazz legend Roy Ayers and on to R&B and Hip Hop artists Montell Jordan, K-Ci Hailey and Mary J. Blige.
Phil’s sound has been sampled for records by Jay-Z & Sauce Money (Face Off 2000), Teedra Moses & Raphael Saadiq (Be Your Girl Remix), The Notorious B.I.G. (Ready To Die), and Keyshia Cole (Let It Go). Phil co-wrote and produced Roy Ayers' "Hot," perhaps the only song to ever make it into the beginning of a Michael Jackson video (uncut The Way You Make Me Feel).
AURRA - Are You Single? Party Time, Nasty Disposition, Livin’ Too Fast, Checkin’ You Out, Make Up Your Mind /ROY AYERS - Hot / TONI BRAXTON - How Many Ways/ FREEZE FACTOR -Don’t Turn Back, Lay Back and Chill, Keep On Groovin’, Black All The Way, Money Money, The Creator is Back and Black / GWEN GUTHRIE -Thrill Me/ K-C HAILEY -If You Think You’re Lonely Now/ FREDDIE JACKSON -Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love / MTUME - Juicy Fruit, Ready For Your Love, Hips, Green Light, You Are My Sunshine, I Simply Like, To Be Or Not To Bop / NU ROMANCE CREW -Tonite, Like Gilligan, Try My Love, Take Me, Sexy Girl
NEW YORK UNDERCOVER
ArtistSong Episode Teddy Pendergrass Close The Door “School Ties” O’Jays For The Love of Money “Sins of the Father” Nancy Wilson Love Won’t Let Me Wait “To Protect & Serve” Bobby Womack If You Think You’re Lonely Now “Garbage” Mavis Staples I’ll Take You There “Drag Queens” ARTIST SESSIONS:
Mary J. Blige Chante Moore K.C. Hailey Youssef N'Dour Montell Jordan Billy Paul Gerald Levert SWV Teena Marie Christopher Williams Stephanie Mills Zhane
