Barre Phillips

About Barre Phillips

Barre Phillips has been known for the past 30 years as one of the leading precursors of free improvised music. His recording “Journal Violone”(1968) is the first recorded album of solo free double bass in the history of jazz. His years in New York during the 60's brought him into contact with the free jazz and contemporary music scenes. In 1964 he appeared as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic and made his first trip to Europe as part of the George Russell Sextet. In 1967, during a stay in London, he decided to stay in Europe. He has composed music for a dozen feature films, a score of ballets, and theater music for several contemporary plays. He regularly receives commissions for concert performances, music festivals and radio productions. He has recorded some 175 records, 50 of them under his own name. His stage experience spans a wide range of musical styles, from Coleman Hawkins to Cecil Taylor to Interactive Electronic Music. Among the countless artists he has played with are Cole man Hawkins, Archie Shepp, Chick Corea, Evan Parker, Ornette Coleman, etc. He has also accompanied singers – Gloria Lynn, Sheila Jordan, Jeanne Lee, Bobby McFerrin, Jay Clayton, Colette Magny. He is an active teacher and has led workshops regularly since 1976 in Europe, America and Japan.