Allan Phillips is a multi-instrumentalist, Venezuelan born, of African descent. He has the ability to incorporate traditional music from all around the world into the classical as well as the contemporary realm. Allan has won recognition for acclaimed album productions, recording sessions and performances with Donna Summer, Kenny Loggins, Al Jarreau (U.S.A.), Sergio Mendes (Brazil), Zap Mama (Europe/Africa), Eva Ayllon (Peru), Thomas Mapfumo (Zimbabwe), Habib Koité (Mali), Vusi Mahlasela (So. Africa) and Regino Gimenez (Cuba).
Full biography:
A self-taught child prodigy born in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Allan Phillips landed his early musical roots solidly in Afro-indigenous street music. The Venezuelan National Conservatory of Music, international touring cast of "Up With People" and a U.S. International University degree in classical music and composition can be credited for lending "structure" to Allan's gutsy, ethnic, musical signature.
Allan Phillips' raw, energetic percussion, keyboard, wind, string and vocal performances have him in high demand for live as well as studio engagements. He has performed and/or recorded for such legends as the late Bob Hope and Tito Puente as well as Donna Summer, Kenny Loggins, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Rogers, Al Jarreau, Sheila E., Juice Newton, Kim Carnes, Brenda Russell, Zap Mama, Sara Evans, Peter White, Thomas Mapfumo, Jeff Lorber, Kirk Whalum, Fattburger, Big Mountain, Luis Enrique, Sergio Mendes, Abe Laboriel, Argenis Carruyo, Boney James, Camilo Azuquita, Daniel Alvarado, Jaime Valle, Greg Adams, Justo Almario, Mundell Lowe, Nancy Ramos, Alex Acuña, Lila Morillo, Pete Spreague, Rick Braun, Steven Bishop, Tom Scott, U.S.I.U Mozart Plus Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Allan Phillips has also composed, orchestrated and produced music for several independent films and documentaries (Somewhere Between, Hope on a Red Bucket, Dog Tales, Lomita Ghosts, Family Values in the Goddess Years, Si Se Puede, World Dance Workout, Tijuana Jews, Break of Dawn, Love Always), for theatre (Rule My World, The New Mambo Kings, Latin Gems, Latin Twist, Blood Wedding), for broadcast for NBC, ABC, FOX, ESPN, A&E, MTV, Univision among many others, as well as station ID's for TV and radio throughout North, Central, South America (Televisa, Globovision, Venevision, RCTV), and music cues for programs around the world (Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, U.K., The Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and South Africa). He has acted as composer, orchestrator and producer for the world's largest original music-library firm.
Though his talents as a composer and instrumentalist are impressive, it is when wearing the hat of "producer" that Allan's talents are virtually unmatched. Although comparable to that of the top music producers of today, Allan's work inhabits a world of its own. His multicultural background provides an internationality to his work, a respect for different cultures and their musical traditions which transcends his music. In addition, Allan's unique ability to communicate the essence of "The Universal Language", allows him to draw from artists what it is that he desires for his music; a raw, natural feel. For over a decade, Allan has successfully produced music from nearly every known musical genre; from pop and world music to jazz and latin.
As an Emmy® winner for writing and producing the soundtrack of the PBS program Grannies on Safari, nominated for a Grammy® for Eva Ayllon's acclaimed album Kimba Fá, as part of the Grammy® nominated team for Alex Acuña's Acuarela de Tambores album, as winner of 14 San Diego Music Awards, 5 U.C.S.D outstanding artist awards among others, Allan Phillips personifies the new breed of musical artists. Holding a respect for tradition, while at the same time shaping the future, Allan Phillips is someone to watch for as a musical leader in the 21st century.
