Phillip played for us last week–Friday at Sophie’s Bistro and Sunday May 27, at the Old Bay 25th Anniversary

ImageNBJP: What’s your favorite non-jazz tune?

PM: Sir Duke- Stevie Wonder

NBJP: What’s your least favorite sound?

PM: The sound of car horns in traffic! 

NBJP: What living musician do you admire most? Why?

PM: Kenny Garrett because he is constantly pushing his art to new limits while staying connected to the popular culture that we all live in. He is truly a relatable performer. 

NBJP: What’s one thing (other than water/ice) we’d ALWAYS find in your refrigerator?

PM: 2% Milk

NBJP: What’s the last book you read?

PM: “The Musical World of J.J. Johnson” by Joshua Berrett

NBJP: If you could live anywhere, where would that be?

PM: New York City of course!

NBJP: Complete this sentence: If I can, I try to avoid distractions and bad Mexican food!

PLUS ONE: When did you know you wanted to be a professional jazz musician?

PM: I was playing in a community college jazz band in my last year of High School. The guest artist was Bill Watrous and I had to chance to be featured with him onstage and trade on a blues. During the tune, I felt the rush of really digging into this music for the first time. After the concert, Bill came up to me and said, “Hey, you are pretty good, you should pursue jazz trombone”. I was hooked ever since!