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Phil Hawkins

Phil Hawkins is a master percussionist, an accomplished jazz drummer and one of the leading innovators of music for the steelpan. As a percussionist and drummer he has traveled throughout the United States, the Caribbean and South America to perform concerts, teach clinics and study percussion.

Originally from Topeka, Kansas, Phil completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music at Wichita State University where he remained as adjunct faculty, directing the Steelband and Latin Jazz Ensembles. In 1998, Phil moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he quickly gained a reputation as a versatile drummer with groups such as Three Tenors No Opera (Sea Breeze Records), Pete Escovedo, Joe Craven, the Resident Aliens, Ray Obiedo, Sam Bevan and Irish music master Ron Kavana (Proper Records, UK). A friendship with world renown percussionist Michael Spiro eventually led Phil to begin work on his recently released debut CD, “H2O.” He also met and collaborated with vibraphonist Gerry Grosz and bassist Jim Kerwin (David Grisman Quartet) on the 2001 release, “The Cosmic Buzz.”

Throughout his career Phil has been an active teacher, working for the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in Richmond, CA, the Oakland Fine Arts Summer School and the National Guitar Workshop in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In addition, he has given clinics at Miami University Ohio, Boise State University, the Wichita Jazz Festival and the Ellie Mannette Steel Drum Workshop in Morgantown, WV. In the Fall of 2004 he was offered a tenure-track position as a member of the music faculty at Mission College in Santa Clara where he currently teaches World Music, MIDI and Digital Audio courses and directs the Mission Percussion Ensemble.

In 1993 he started his own publishing company, P. Note Music, to promote his original music. His catalogue is substantial and the list of schools that have performed his works includes Ithaca College, University of Miami Ohio, University of Illinois, Wichita State University, Brigham Young, Clemson University and Northern Kentucky University to name a few. In addition to the thirty-one compositions for steelpan, Phil has also published several books including, “World Rhythms for Kids: Caribbean Carnival,” “Caribbean Jazz Ensemble,” and “Pan Rhythm.”

From 2002 - 2004 Phil lived in Los Angeles where he continued to work as a jazz drummer. While there he began recording “H2O,” employing the legendary Alex Acuña on drums and percussion. Phil also worked on other recording projects for Caribbean vocalist Jessica Vautor, singer Kathleen Grace, Disney Internet Group, the University of Southern California Vocal Jazz Ensemble and film score composer Patrick Kirst.

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3
Album Review

Ray Obiedo: Latin Jazz Project Vol. 2

Read "Latin Jazz Project Vol. 2" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


Sometimes it is difficult to banish the words of Ecclesiastes from your mind when listening to a recording: “There is no new thing under the Sun." While that may be true of music in particular--one builds on the past, just as in other fields--it is no good reason for not listening or for simple indifference. Gerald Wilson's “Viva Tirado" has been around since the 1970s, and Wilson himself has been quoted as being once surprised by hearing the El Chicano ...

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Album Review

Phil Hawkins: H2O

Read "H2O" reviewed by Stephen Latessa


With steel pans as the lead instrument and a lineup that also includes drums and percussion, there is little doubt that H2O will have an emphasis on groove. Of course, while the churning bottom is an undeniable focus of the music, Phil Hawkins has also composed some light, airy melodies to float above the beats. The music is unfailingly relaxed and possesses a breezy Caribbean lilt that seems to assure that everything will get done in its own sweet time.

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Recording

All About Jazz / SonicBids MP3 Download of the Month: Phil Hawkins "Encendido" from Sugarcane Suite

All About Jazz / SonicBids MP3 Download of the Month: Phil Hawkins "Encendido" from Sugarcane Suite

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All About Jazz has selected Phil Hawkins' “Encendido" from Sugarcane Suite as our featured SonicBids MP3 Download of the Month. You can download and listen to the track for free here. Enjoy! Your friends at All About Jazz and SonicBids

About the All About Jazz/SonicBids Download Program 6.4 million downloads and going strong! All About Jazz has offered a free full-length MP3 daily since 2005. We also select and feature at least one track per month through our ...

“H20 is an elegant, soothing, invigorating, masterful recording done by a musician whose obvious love and respect for the music and its considerable roots is evident in every number. H20 is good for the soul and for whatever may ail you. Have a drink or two.” - Jim McElroy, JazzReview.com

“[Phil Hawkins’] music is incredible; It’s imaginative, deep, fun, well arranged, and a facinating blend of musical cultures. And . . . his band burns!” -Greg Murai - Faculty, The Jazz School, Berkeley, CA

“With steel pans as the lead instrument and a lineup that also includes drums and percussion, there is little doubt that H2O will have an emphasis on groove

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Latin Jazz Project...

Rhythmus Records
2021

buy

Sugarcane Suite

P. Note Music
2010

buy

H2O

Ramajay Records
2006

buy

The Oenophile Anthem

Brooxongs Pubco LLC
2005

buy

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