Jazz Musician. Born Joseph Edward Filipelli in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, he began his career by playing the clarinet in a restaurant in his hometown in the 1930s. He soon began getting jobs with jazz legends as Benny Goodman and Red Norvo. In 1940, he joined musician Frankie Newton's group and stayed with them until 1941. He continued the 1940s by again working with Benny Goodman, and Red Norvo, this time as a member of their band. He also worked with bandleader Wingy Manone, before getting his big break in 1944, when he joined Woody Herman's Herd as a soloist. Over the next two years Phillips star rose, and he left Herman's group in 1946. That same year he joined the Jazz at the Philharmonic and toured regularly with them for 11 years, before leaving in 1957. His next project was leading a co-led group with Bill Harris, which he led for sometime before deciding to retire. In 1975, he returned to music and continued to record albums, appear at festivals, and other concerts until his death. Phillips is primarily remembered for such recordings as his 1957 solo, "Perdido", and his last recording, "Swing Is The Thing", in 2000. He died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he had retired.
Jazz Musician. Born Joseph Edward Filipelli in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, he began his career by playing the clarinet in a restaurant in his hometown in the 1930s. He soon began getting jobs with jazz legends as Benny Goodman and Red Norvo. In 1940, he joined musician Frankie Newton's group and stayed with them until 1941. He continued the 1940s by again working with Benny Goodman, and Red Norvo, this time as a member of their band. He also worked with bandleader Wingy Manone, before getting his big break in 1944, when he joined Woody Herman's Herd as a soloist. Over the next two years Phillips star rose, and he left Herman's group in 1946. That same year he joined the Jazz at the Philharmonic and toured regularly with them for 11 years, before leaving in 1957. His next project was leading a co-led group with Bill Harris, which he led for sometime before deciding to retire. In 1975, he returned to music and continued to record albums, appear at festivals, and other concerts until his death. Phillips is primarily remembered for such recordings as his 1957 solo, "Perdido", and his last recording, "Swing Is The Thing", in 2000. He died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he had retired.
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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