“the hottest talent to hit soul music in at least ten years” – Echoes magazine.  

August, 2024  —  World renowned saxophonist Mike Phillips is known as one of the most electrifying instrumentalists today. Mike was the first musician signed by Michael Jordan to the Nike Jordan brand, and is the only musician in the world to have recorded and toured with the legendary “Big Three” of American soul and pop music: Michael Jackson, Prince, and Stevie Wonder.

Born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York during the onset of the hip-hop generation, Phillips grew up watching neighborhood kids become huge music stars like Mary J. Blige, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Heavy D, Craig Mack, Pete Rock and many others.  Mike’s parents fully encouraged his affinity for music.  He listened to his local jazz station 89U by day and Mr. Magic’s rap radio show by night.  You can hear this dual musical affinity– street corner beat-boxing rhythms to musicianship chops from the jazz greats – throughout his music even today.   Mike experimented with a variety of instruments before settling on the saxophone and decided by age 16 that music was his career.

In the 1990s, Mike Phillips was a regular presence at open-mic jam sessions in Manhattan’s live music scene, then scoring sessions and sideman work within jazz, R&B and hip-hop circles. Hidden Beach recordings put him on the road opening for then label-mate Jill Scott in 2001.

With several album releases received well by critics and audiences, he found himself “amidst musical greatness”, playing for music superstar Prince from 2004 to 2012.  “Here’s one man breathing into an instrument, and the whole room feels alive. It made me want to rise to that level when I came back onstage,” said Prince, in Rolling Stone.

Mike then toured for nearly two years as part of the band for ‘Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL Tour’ by Cirque du Soleil.

In a 2022 article in BlackPepper Magazine, Phillips album “Pulling Off The Covers” is described as the soundtrack of his life. It showcases his experience with the masters of music, melted to create his own authentic sound. “When you’re doing a cover, you do it your way,” Phillips explains of both the title and overall approach. “The song has to have swag and personality, and a harmonic or melodic outlook on something that already exists. “Pulling Off The Covers” seamlessly melds classic jazz with everything from 70s Quiet Storm soul and 80s funk/R&B, to 90s hip-hop and even an all-time classic TV music theme. 

Mike’s solo albums “You Have Reached Mike Phillips”, “Uncommon Denominator”, “M.P.3”, “Pulling Off The Covers”, and his latest, “Mike Phillips”, all debuted in the Top #5 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums Chart.

In 2023, at the 20^th anniversary of his first album, Mike Phillips launched new jazz record label Keep It Moving Music (KIMM), with the desire to help young jazz artists learn the business side of music. KIMM teaches the use of social media, curated playlist, and other cutting-edge technology to market their product.

Mike is a recipient of The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award and The Georgia Citizen Award, which is the highest state-level honor given to a citizen.
No stranger to the sports world, Mike Phillips happens to be an amazing golfer.  If he’s not on a stage near you, you might find him on the golf course.  But you’ll find his stamp as a musician there as well. 

Mike Phillips is the first musician signed by esteemed basketball player Michael Jordan to his Nike Jordan Brand, home of the Air Jordan.  The Air Jordan was one of the first shoes to overtly bring musical artistry to footwear design, recognizing “the culture of cool” across fashion music, art and sports. MJ’s moves on the court were never scripted. They took on the impromptu nature like the world of jazz. … The musical genre with a blend of sophistication and hip hop style, was a perfect representation of [Mike Phillips] and the product designed,” said Gentry Humphrey, Former Vice President of Jordan Footwear.

That relationship opened the door for Phillips to build a rapport with some of the top professional athletes today. Mike performs over a dozen national anthems every year for a host of sporting organizations such as: Professional Golfers of America (PGA), National Basketball Association (NBA), National League (NL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), and the National Football League (NFL) just to mention a few.

Mike Phillips continues to bring new music with his newest February 2024 release “It’s a Vibe” and through the artists signed to his KIMM label imprint.  In his own words, “the best is yet to come”. 

Mike returns to Middle C Jazz September 19, 2024.  TICKETS.
 
More about Mike Phillips:
Jazz Renaissance with Saxophonist Mike Phillips, BlackPepper Magazine, Feb 2022. 
WEBSITE 
Check out Mike’s INSTAGRAM for some of his National Anthem moments.