Click Phil's picture above to listen to his music!!!
This is a
band that everyone should come out to see. The band is loaded with
individual talent that comes together and swings like a short skirt
blowin’ on a windy day, BAM!
Phil and his quintet lock into a sound that is hip and full of rich five part flavor. Out in the front line with Phil on tenor and flute is Keith Fiddmont. He connects with emotion and coats the audience with a warm tone reminiscent of a multitude of our finest horn masters of the past, the most prominent being that of the Trane. Crisp, clear and even in his delivery, Keith is a serious technician.
Dynamite Donald Vega splashes all across the keys with brilliant bright strides, twinkles and melodies that puts a smile on the face of the blues. He delivers such joy when he performs you can feel the happiness and love of the beautiful woman who completes his house.
Watch out when Ryan Cross starts thumping. This cat is his bass. He is wonderful to hear and watch as each and passionate every note is played with a different facial expression to match. He is definitely on of the hot and in demand young bass players on the scene also leading his own band “The Cross-Hart Connection”
Don Littleton is a drummer that fills and spills percussive rhythmic love all over, in and though the sound of the music. The time ticks, the brushes caress, and the stick connect with imagination, style and individual flair.
The sound of the trombone is so unique. Phil plays with such an intellectual conceptual style that the music color is well outside the lines. Creativity abounds and speaks is own language that carries out across the room and translates into swaying bodies, snapping fingers and cringed up faces that understand and receive the message through the tone.
Phil has a brand new disc out on the Wide Hive label called “Inspirations”, much of which he gets from players like Trane, Freddie Hubbard, Tapscott, Silver and of course the almighty effervescent and beautiful sounds of Eric Dolphy. Three tunes, “Shades of Dolphy(prelude)”, “Spirit of Dolphy” and “Shades of Dolphy(encore) are dedicated to the birdman alone.
The ballads are warm as the tropics; the straight ahead blows with electricity and the blues will put mud between your toes! Don’t miss your next opportunity to see a great bone player and his band, the Phil Ranelin Quintet!
LeRoy Downs
