While undeservedly overlooked these days, at one time Flip Phillips (1915-2001)was one of the most popular and exciting tenor sax players, with a deep warm tone, and chops to burn. He made his name with his marathon solos on tour with JATP, but was also a reliable member of the Benny Goodman and Woody Herman big bands.
This 3 cd, 56 song collection has him in a wide variety of small group settings for the Clef Record label, just when jazz was transitioning from swing to the more intricate bebop , and is a thrill a minute.
Philips swings with bebop ideas on his teaming with Hank Jones/p, Ray Brown/b and Buddy Rich/dr, cruising through “Lover Come Back To Me”. He shows modern ideas with trumpeter Howard McGee sharing the front line on a sleek “Cool” an d “My Old Flame”. With trombonist Bill Harris/tb and bopper Lou Levy/p he snaps through “Apple Honey” and “Broadway”.
Phillips is jumping with Peterson/Brown, Alvin Stoller/dr Barney Kessel/g and Charlie Shavbers/tp on a snappy “Cottontail” while teaming up with neoboppers Max Roach/dr, Cecil Payne/bar and swingers Freddie Green/g swing the life out of “Gina”.
Phillips was fearless, never intimidated by Buddy Rich, and holds his own on “Trio Boogie” and “Almost Like Being In Love”. A meeting of the minds with Rich and Oscar Peterson’s trio of Brown and Herb Ellis/g bring in a luscious “All Of Me” and “I’ve Got The World On A String”.
His stint with Norman Granz and the JATP is documented here as well, as he jams with all stars Dizzy Gillespie-Roy Eldridge/tp, Bill Harris/b, Buddy De Franco/cl and Peterson’s trio with Louis Belson/dr on a snappy “Stompin’ At The Savoy”. Phillips was one of the few who sounded comfortable in any setting, from luscious ballads to torrid boppers, and his warm, rich tone was a timeless treasure. Here’s a great place to start if you’re wondering what a Selmer is supposed to sound like.