Sonny Phillips


Sonny Phillips is an American jazz keyboardist. His primary instrument is electronic organ but he often played piano.

Biography

Phillips began playing jazz organ after hearing Jimmy Smith in his twenties. He studied under Ahmad Jamal, and played in the 1960s and 1970s with Lou Donaldson, Nicky Hill, Eddie Harris, Houston Person, and Gene Ammons. His debut album was released in 1969, and he released several further records as a leader before suffering a long illness in 1980. He went into semi-retirement after this and moved to Los Angeles; since then he has performed and taught occasionally.

Discography

As leader

With Gene Ammons
With Rusty Bryant
With Billy Butler
With Eddie Harris
With Willis Jackson
With Etta Jones
With Boogaloo Joe Jones
With Houston Person
With Bernard Purdie