Biography
Born into a musical household in Mobile, Alabama during 1936, organist Sonny Phillips postponed any formal jazz training until he reached age 23, at which point he began private studies with Ahmad Jamal. Jimmy Smith’s recordings prompted his decision to move to the organ, and before long he was appearing alongside noted soul-jazz players such as Lou Donaldson, Eddie Harris, Houston Person, and Gene Ammons. His first session as a leader arrived with the 1969 Prestige album Sure 'Nuff, followed two years later by the Prestige dates Black Magic and Black on Black. Phillips resumed recording leadership duties in 1976 on the Muse label with My Black Flower, yet I Concentrate on You the next year became his final date at the helm. An illness in 1980 led him to relocate to Los Angeles, where he thereafter taught, performed, and contributed occasional sideman work on a sporadic basis.
Albums
