Biography; the long version...​

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Phil started playing the drums at the age of twelve primarily in Marching and Concert Bands.  With a strong beginning in classical percussion, he set his sights on the drumset at the age of fifteen.  At the Windsor (Ontario) Centre for the Creative Arts, he studied percussion under renowned Canadian conguerro Dean Valentino, and music in general under Norman Ross.  While at the WCCA, Philly played in the pit orchestra for shows such as Oliver, Here’s Love and Little Shop Of Horrors.  Shortly thereafter, he made the move to Nanaimo, British Columbia to study Jazz Performance at Malaspina University-College.  Under the tutelage of players such as Steve Jones, Myron Makepeace, and Anita Bonkowski, Phil honed his skills becoming the well-rounded musician that he is today.
 

After college, Phil worked up and down Vancouver Island in a variety of musical settings.  From rock and roll in bars to jazz trio work at wine tastings, he did it all. Starting in 2006, Phil worked with vocalist Bruce Gordon primarily on Princess Cruise Lines.  They did five contracts together working seven nights a week. Through Bruce, he had both the honour and the privilege of working with pianist, Biff Hannon.
 

After moving to Melbourne in 2009, Phil has played around town a fair bit indeed.  he was a founding member of neo-disco/funk outfit Mount Omega Hustle, he has backed up players such as Aeneas Jones and Cactus D, among others.  Most recently, Phil has joined Melbourne folk-pop outfit The Bon Scotts and has been super busy and ultra happy as a result. He has also started building and modifying drums on the side just for the heck of it.

 

Phil is comfortable with just about any musical situation and has earned a reputation as being a consummate professional; able to play anything from Bach to Bachman while maintaining a sensitivity and style that are rare in today’s ever-changing entertainment industry.