Birth

:

February 26, 1915 in Brooklyn, NY

Death

:

August 17, 2001 in Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

Flip Phillips was an American jazz tenor saxophonist who was born on March 26, 1915, in Brooklyn, New York. His real name was Joseph Edward Filipelli, but he was known by his stage name, Flip Phillips. He grew up in a musical family, and his father was a professional musician who played the violin. Flip started playing the clarinet when he was nine years old, and he later switched to the tenor saxophone. Flip Phillips began his professional career in the 1930s, playing with various bands in New York City. He played with Benny Goodman's band in 1941, and he became one of the most prominent tenor saxophonists of the swing era. He was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to improvise on the spot. He was also known for his distinctive sound, which was characterized by a warm, rich tone and a fluid, melodic style. In 1946, Flip Phillips joined the Woody Herman Orchestra, which was one of the most popular big bands of the time. He became the band's featured soloist, and he was known for his dynamic performances and his ability to play fast, intricate lines. He recorded several albums with the Woody Herman Orchestra, including "The Thundering Herds" and "The Fourth Herd." In the 1950s, Flip Phillips began to focus on his solo career. He recorded several albums as a bandleader, including "Flip Wails" and "Swing Is the Thing." He also played with other jazz musicians, including Bill Harris, Buddy Rich, and Oscar Peterson. He was known for his collaborations with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, and the two musicians recorded several albums together, including "Dizzy Gillespie and Flip Phillips" and "Flip Phillips and Dizzy Gillespie at Newport." Flip Phillips continued to perform and record throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He played with the Benny Goodman Orchestra in the 1960s, and he recorded several albums with the group, including "Benny Goodman Today" and "Benny Goodman in Moscow." He also recorded several albums with pianist Hank Jones, including "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and "Together Again." In the 1980s, Flip Phillips continued to perform and record, despite suffering from health problems. He recorded several albums with saxophonist Scott Hamilton, including "A Sound Investment" and "The Great American Songbook." He also recorded several albums with pianist John Bunch, including "Bunch of Fives" and "Bunch of Changes." Flip Phillips received several awards and honors throughout his career. In 1981, he was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame. In 1991, he received the Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a jazz musician in the United States. He was also inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Flip Phillips died on August 17, 2001, at the age of 86. He was remembered as one of the greatest tenor saxophonists of the swing era, and his influence can still be heard in the playing of many contemporary jazz musicians. His legacy lives on through his recordings, which continue to inspire and delight jazz fans around the world.

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