Phil Meadows BA (Hons), Mmus; is a London based freelance musician. He can be seen performing nationwide with the ‘Phil Meadows Group’ and the ‘National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Great Britain’ amongst a myriad of other projects. Throughout his career thus far he has been welcomed onto some of Europe’s most respected jazz platforms including the Bimhuis in Amsterdam where he was the youngest, only Briton and only saxophonist in the final of the ‘European Keep an Eye Jazz Soloist Competition’. Other performance credits include the world famous Glastonbury Festival, BBC Proms, and Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club. In February 2012 Phil was also invited to perform for Her Majesty the Queen.
During his education, Phil studied at some of the UK’s finest institutions. Firstly at Manchester’s internationally renowned Chetham’s School of Music before moving on to study jazz at Leeds College of Music where he graduated with a first class honours. Upon conclusion of his undergraduate studied Phil was offered a place on the prestigious ‘Arches Scholarship’ to study jazz at postgraduate level at Trinity Laban where he completed his masters degree in 2012.
Phil’s musical inspiration comes from all aspects of his upbringing including the work of jazz greats like Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Joe Henderson and John Coltrane in which he has been listening to through his fathers speakers since the age of five. As time developed, so has Phil’s tonal pallet with the more contemporary writing of Kenny Wheeler, Vince Mendoza and Maria Schnieder influencing a lot of his current work as well as the current thriving New York scene. Other influences include the music William Walton, Maurice Ravel and the artists on both ECM and NinjaTune record labels. Not only has Phil listened and analysed this influential music; he has also had the pleasure to share the stage with some of the most inspirational musicians the UK has to offer. Firstly both Stuart McCallum and Luke Flowers of the Cinematic Orchestra and more recently Tim Garland and Mark Mondesir with whom he recorded NYJO’s latest album ‘The Change’.
As well as reaching the final of the ‘European Keep an Eye Jazz Soloist’ Phil’s competition success includes the George Murphy Prize for Saxophone 2010, Great Northern Big Band Competition (Best Band, Best Section 2010) and the LIMA Bands Competition in 2008. Phil’s dedication and commitment to his work as a performer has lead him to becoming one of the youngest ever RICO artists. (An endorsement from the international reed manufacturer.)
As well as performing, Phil is also a passionate educator. In this sector of his work he holds the title of ‘musical director’ for ‘NYJO London’, an ensemble for nine to nineteen year olds to hone their section playing, jazz knowledge and improvisational skillset. He has recently been invited to present a paper at this years Leeds International Jazz Education Conference. Further to this, he is also a saxophone and jazz tutor at Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School.
As an avid writer, both of music and media Phil has welcomed many a commission including the film score to ‘Top of the Range’; an Art House Short funded by the British Film Council featuring Joe Gilgun of ‘This is England’. His other works include the full set-list for the ‘Phil Meadows Group’ as well as a portfolio of writing and arranging for Big Band.
In his journalistic writing Phil is the main contributer to ‘HotHouse’; a section in Jazz Services magazine ‘JazzUK’ aimed at sourcing, presenting and promoting the best of the upcoming jazz scene. He also writes a host of other articles for ‘JazzUK’ touching on other subject matter. His skillset includes writing about genres and include reviewing, previewing, interviews and feature articles.
Press Quotes:
‘A great stage presence and an unforgettable instrumental style’ – Chris Ackerley, Jazzwise Magazine
‘His music is perfect, really accessible with a tight sound and a great buzz.’ – Clare Simpson, Royal Exchange Theatre
‘We need new blood of this kind in the UK and world jazz scene to ensure jazz lives on’ – UK Jazz Now
