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Phill Fest's background and training give his musicality
a unique twist uncommon for his generation.
Phill was born in Minneapolis,
Minnesota and currently resides in Florida. Phill grew up in
a musical family. His father is a recording artist and his mother
a composer and music instructor. Phill was exposed to Brazilian
and American Jazz right from the start. "I remember hangin'
with Sergio Mendez backstage many times as a kid."
His father, Manfredo Fest, was the Keyboardist and Music
Director for Bossa Rio, the opening act for Brasil '66 for three
years.
Phill started guitar at age
16. Having already studied clarinet and violin, the 'six string'
came easy. Phill studied at Music Tech of Minneapolis in '89.
"My training is a combination of school and self-taught
techniques."
Phill performed for five years with
Deeforce, an all original eclectic rock-n-roll band that
won best original band of Florida '93-'94 at the Florida Jammy
Awards. During this period, the band also moonlighted as The
Starliters as in 'Joey Dee and The Starliters', known for the
hit singles Peppermint Twist and Shout.
"I've played with the
who's-who of oldies; Bo Didley, Spencer Davis,
Coasters, Drifters, to name a few."
Phill has recorded four compact
discs with his father Manfredo Fest for Concord Jazz. Each of
these recordings feature a composition by Phill.
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Fascinating
Rhythm
(CCD-4711)
January, '96
Marcia.mp3
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In the spring of '95 Phill
landed his forst solo deal for Inspired Artists "Acoustic
Shores".
At the 1996 Bay Area Music
Awards (B.A.M.A.) Phill won "Best Jazz Artist".
Summer of '96 brought Phill
to Germany and Denmark as a member of the Hendrick Muerkens
Samba Jazz Quintet.
In February of '97 Phill toured
England and Spain with Maria Creuza (famous Brazilian
Singer).
In 2001, relocating to the
South Florida (West Palm Beach, Miami) area was what the doctor
ordered. He has since performed with area favorites such as:
Terezinha Valois, Dale Powers-Jumpin - Jive,
Roberto Pereira, Bill Porter, Christina Sichta,
Adriana Samargia, Bruce Jarett , Brian Murphy, Matt
Boneli, Johnny O., Susan Merritt, Tom Roberts, Richard Malfitano,
Richie Conn, Al Shikaly, Valerio Cantori, Raul Hernendes, and
Rick Doll to name a few.
In spring of '05 Phill, along with
Brian Lutz(drums) and bassist Russ Howard, formed
'The Shop', a power trio specializing in everything from
Brazilian jazz to funk-rock fusion.
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