Biography
GREG PHILLIPS
CEO, Drummer, Percussionist, Vocalist, Producer, Musical Director
A self-taught musician. Started playing with boxes, chairs, tables, cups, and glasses, with knives, forks, and anything he could get his hands on, at an early age! He began playing real drums at 9 yrs old and singing with his brothers. Occasionally, Greg would sing lead. He would sing tunes by the Jackson Five, "Never Can Say Good-Bye" and the Osmond Brothers, "One Bad Apple". The Phillips brothers performed at family gatherings, and in front of a dinner guest, at parties for Dad's fellow employees. His father, Dr. George McKenzie Phillips, M.D., of Crownsville State Hospital, bought him a full-fledged, five-piece drum set at 12. It was given to him when he graduated from South Shore Elementary School in Crownsville, Maryland.
Greg started playing with his brothers at basement parties, local bars, and clubs at 14 yrs old. The first band was called, "J.R. and the Royals", named after the oldest brother, George Jr. The band later became Licyndiana, adding Renee Diggs. After playing several more years at basement parties, high schools, bars, and clubs. Licyndiana changed their name to Starpoint, made a demo, and started to look for recording contracts.
At 21yrs of age, signed his first recording contract with Starpoint. Starpoint signed to Chocolate City Records, a subsidiary of Casablanca and Polygram Records. In 1985, Starpoint resigned a record contract with Elektra Asylum Records/Warner Bro. They sold over 600,000 records with the album "Restless". They were presented with a Gold record after a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City! Greg would do a drum solo at every show with standing ovations right before going into Starpoints' hit song, (on the Restless album), "Object Of My Desire"
Greg's style and approach in playing the drums gave Starpoint a driving force. He helped to create the arrangements for "Live" shows and some of the writing for albums that were produced. He was a big contribution to the direction of the band.
Worked with many artist and musicians all through the years of his musical career, ranging in different musical styles and genres. He has always loved to perform and will continue performing with many people on his musical quest.
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International & National:
Starpoint (R&B,Pop) Gold/Platinum
Najee - Sax/Flute/Keyboards (Smooth Jazz) Gold & Platinum
Angela Bofill - Vocals/Percussion (Pop, Latin, Smooth Jazz) Gold & Platinum
Joe Blacker Band - Blues, Jazz, Rock)
Ron Holloway - Sax (Jazz)
John Mooney - Vocals/Guitar (Blues)
Roy Buchanan - Vocals/Guitar (Rock)
Paul Reed Smith - Guitar (Rock) Band of 1,000 Names, PRS Guitars (sold worldwide)
Carey Ziegler - Bass (Rock) CZ's Expensive Hobby - (Rock) w/Crack The Sky, Edgar Winter, Band of 1,000 Names
Jack Mc Duff - Organ/Piano (Jazz)
O'Donnell Levy - Guitar (Blues, Jazz)
Tony Tillman and the East Coast Brass - Vocals (Pop, Rock, Jazz, Big Band)
Kevin Levrone - Vocals (Rock) Pro-Body Builder and his band "Full Blown"
Local:
The Greg Phillips Trio (Rock,Blues,Jazz)
Effort (Original, Jazz-Rock Fusion)
Taxfree (Jazz-Rock Fusion)
Greg Phillips Strings - Jonathan Eply, Larry Melton (Guitar Jazz Fusion)
Climate - Greg Phillips, Larry Melton, Ned Judy (Weather Report, Jazz Fusion)
Strings - Jonatha Eply, Larry Melton, Greg Phillips (Guitar Jazz, Pat Metheny)
Charlie Sayles and the Blues Disciples (Blues)
Van Dyke and Glaser Band (Folk, Rock)
Off The Hook (Classic Rock, Country)
Laughing Colors (Rock)
Steph Scaggiari Trio (Jazz)
Mama Jama (Reggae, Soca, Caribbean)
Duende (Todd Kreuzburg) (Flamenco)
The Carl Filipiak Group (Jazz, Rock,70's Fusion)
Tommy Lepson Band (R&B, Blues)
Michael McHenry Tribe (R&B, Rock, Classic Rock, Blues)
Meg Murray (Pop, R&B,)
Angie Miller (Pop, R&B, Rock, Folk)
Rob Levit Trio (Jazz, Jazz Fusion)
James Mabry (Blues, R&B, Rock)
Fran Scuderi (Folk, Rock)
Jay Turner (Jazz, Blues, Rock)
Greg always has had his own bands! Effort, Tax-Free, The Greg Phillips Trio, and newly formed "Climate"and "Strings"!
Greg composed, arranged and managed for these bands. Each band, sometimes with different genres and approach. From R&B, and Rock, to Latin, Jazz, and Fusion (70's jazz-rock). He is a Producer and Manager for other groups and artists as well.
Greg began touring with Najee, on April 15, 2000. Najee toured various places in the world. Greg discontinued touring with Najee in the year 2005. He continued to record with Najee through 2007. Greg also met the pop, and jazz singer, Angela Bofill, while touring with Najee in South Africa. He toured with them both during the same time. Make sure to check out his current Schedule.
Greg's latest International recordings are with Najee, on "Embrace" and Najee's CD, "My Point Of View", released on Heads Up Records.
When Greg is not on the road touring, doing gigs locally, or in the studio, he spends his time teaching drums.
Teaching is something he really loves, as well as performing! Music is Greg's passion for life!