Full Discograpgy
As Bandleader, Co-Leader and Sideman (Chronological Order)
“NO MORE APOLOGIES”
Damani Phillips, Openmind Records,
November 5, 2021
A project completely apart from anything I’ve released prior, I took a big risk with this album. Is it possible to find a string section that can handle swing, funk, hip hop and other syncopated Black music without sounding completely out of their element? Took some doing, but I found them! Combined with a quartet of stellar jazz musicians, No More Apologies proudly offers a fresh take on what's possible in jazz! If you liked my 2010 album “The String Theory”, you will LOVE this project.
Take a listen: NO MORE APOLOGIES PREVIEW
“LIVE IN IOWA”
P.B.N.G. (Phillips, Bianchi, Nash and Gisbert)
2018
Reunited with the great Pat Bianchi (Hammond organ), Lewis Nash (Drums) and Greg Gisbert (Trumpet) to record a live album - recorded entirely in Iowa music venues.
Book: “What Is This Thing Called Soul: Conversations on Black Culture and Jazz Education”
Peter Lang Publishing: Black Studies and Critical Thinking Series
2017
How does academic jazz education impact the Black cultural value of soulfulness and esthetic standards in contemporary jazz music? Through candid conversations with nine of the country’s most highly respected jazz practitioners and teachers, What Is This Thing Called Soul explores the potential consequences of forcing the Black musical style of jazz into an academic pedagogical system that is specifically designed to facilitate the practice and pedagogy of European classical music. This work tests the belief that the cultural, emotional and esthetic elements at the very core of jazz’s
unique identity, along with the music’s overt connection to Black culture, are effectively being “lost in translation” in traversing the divide between academic and non‐academic jazz spheres. Each interviewee commands significant respect worldwide in the fields of jazz performance and jazz pedagogy. Noteworthy subjects include: Rufus Reid, Lewis Nash, Nicholas Payton and Wycliffe Gordon—along with the late jazz masters Marcus Belgrave and Phil Woods. Interviews are supplemented by original analysis of the nature and validity of these issues contributed by the author. What Is This Thing Called Soul offers a candid and objective look into pressing issues of race, culture and ethnic value in relation to both jazz music and jazz education.
“Duality”
Damani Phillips
2015
A double album containing one disk of straight ahead/contemporary jazz and a second disk of jazz paired with hip hop music from my favorite producers. A project like few others out there!
“Just in Time”
Max Wellman
2015
Saxophonist and Contributing Arranger on vocalist Max Wellman’s album feat. little big band.
“Minor Suggestions”
Northwest + 1
2014
Co-Leader with Washington State trumpeter and fellow CU Boulder classmate Kevin Woods. This collaboration brings together a slew of the top call musicians from the northwestern United States…plus yours truly (aka the +1)!
“Theories of Place”
Alan Tormey
(composer)
New Focus Recordings, 2013
Alto axophone on Tormey’s 20th century (classical) electronic composition “Downward Dogs”. Just when you though you had me pegged…..
“The Reckoning”
Damani Phillips
2012
Forst recording with some of the great luiminaries of jazz: Lewis Nash on drums, Greg Gisbert on trumpet and Pat Bianchi on Hammond organ. A monster of a recording with an absolutely stellar band!
“Brazilliant”
Kid Akimbo
2011
Guest soloist on Akimbo’s sultry cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”.
“In My Mind”
Quincy Stewart
2011
Guest soloist on fellow Pontiac, Michigan musician Quincy Stewart’s original composition “Goodbye”. Check him out. You WON’T be sorry that you did.
“The String Theory”
Damani Phillips
2010
2010 release that features the combination of jazz quartet and string quartet. All written and/or arranged by yours truly. My favorite album of everything I’ve recorded over the years.
“Yaktown Nights”
Damani Phillips
Six Deep Records LLC, (2004)
My maiden voyage as a jazz saxophonist!