DOORS 7:00 | SHOW 7:30 – 9:00 | CLOSE 11:00
If there’s one particular word which comes to mind while both describing critically hailed saxophonist MIKE PHILLIPS and an ongoing theme of his illustrious music career within the jazz, R&B and even hip-hop worlds, it would be “authentic.”
Phillips latest groove-driven smooth-jazz musical offering, Pulling Off The Covers, cleverly turns out to be not only the soundtrack of his life but many of ours as well. “When you’re doing a cover, you do it your way…you do it how you do it,” Phillips explains of both the title and overall approach to his multi-influenced new set. “The song has to have swag and personality, and a harmonic or melodic outlook on something that already exists.
At the age of 16, Mike made an impromptu debut at New York City’s Wilson’s night club in 1993. He became a regular presence at various open-mic jam sessions in Manhattan’s live music scene, and soon thereafter found himself scoring sessions and sideman work within jazz, R&B and hip-hop circles. He soon signed with Hidden Beach recordings, and in 2001 began touring as the opening act for Jill Scott. He later began performing with “Prince” from 2004 – 2012.