Drum legend & producer extraordinaire Simon Phillips
will be releasing “Protocol 4” on October 27th on Phantom Recordings,
distributed by AMPED™. Simon Phillips is by far one of the world's most
renowned and respected drummers, whose style not only reflects his technical
gift but also his distinct musical sensibility. Whether it is Rock, Fusion,
Jazz or World, Simon applies the same precision and intensity to his drumming,
which is never lacking in emotion and feel.
Simon has upped the ante with his newest instrumental
recording “Protocol 4.” Building on his past Protocol projects, Simon has again
enlisted the highly talented bassist Ernest Tibbs along with Protocol
newcomers, the superb veteran guitar shredder Greg Howe and keyboard virtuoso
Dennis Hamm. All compositions were written by Simon while on tour.
“The first time I've really been able to concentrate on
writing material on the road. Lots of creativity on airplanes and in hotel and
backstage dressing rooms,” says Phillips. Perhaps the vibe and energy of
touring accounts for the slightly more “metallic edge” to this new album. But,
as is always the case, Simon's music defies specific labels as he fuses
elements of rock, jazz, funk, classical and even world music into the mix. A
case in point being the track “Celtic Run” combining a Celtic rhythmic motif
with blazing guitar and synthesizer leads all held together with Phillips
signature ultra-tight drumming and Tibbs ever solid bass work. “Passage to
Agra” is a rhythmic musical excursion to an exotic foreign land. The tracks
“Pentangle” and “Solitaire” both contain some super funky grooves underlying
jaw dropping metallic jazz/rock soloing. Greg Howe's guitar work shines
throughout the recording, perhaps no more so than the plaintive and anthem-like
track “Phantom Voyage.” Dennis Hamm's keyboard work is stunning on each and
every track, whether he's soloing or adding lush orchestration. The album concludes
with the monster high energy fusion track “Azorez.”
In addition to awesome musicianship, Simon's impeccable
production and recording technique shine once more on this album. “Protocol 4”
is certain to please longstanding Simon Phillips aficionados and is certain to
also bring new Protocol fans into the fold.
Simon Phillips (Drums) - To date Simon Phillips has toured
and recorded with many bands and artists, including: Mick Jagger, The Who, Jeff
Beck, Jack Bruce, Peter Gabriel, Joe Satriani, Tears for Fears, Judas Priest,
Roxy Music, Michael Schenker, Nik Kershaw, Al DiMeola, 801, Pete Townshend,
Robert Palmer, Mike Oldfield, Stanley Clarke, The Pretenders, Whitesnake and
Dave Gilmore... to name but a few. Expanding his career from drumming to
composing, Simon recorded his first solo album “Protocol” in 1988, followed by
a live album, “Force Majeure,” in 1992. During that year he joined Toto on
their Kingdom Of Desire tour of the World, the start of a 21 year collaboration.
He recorded his third solo album, “Symbiosis,” in 1995 and “Another Lifetime”
in 1997. “Out of the Blue,” a live album, followed in 1998 and in 1999 he
released “Vantage Point,” which is a pure, straight ahead jazz album in
collaboration with pianist Jeff Babko. Yet another expansion to Simon's musical
career is producing and engineering, which he first started back in England
with British composer Mike Oldfield, working on three albums with him. Aside
from his solo projects, Simon also co-produced several albums by Toto. In 2009
he formed PSP with Philippe Saisse and Pino Palladino. A live CD and an EP was
produced and tours of Europe and Japan in 2011 & 2012. In 2010 he joined Michael Schenker for a
short tour of Japan and performed with Trilok Gurtu and the NDR Big Band for an
amazing project resulting in the “21 Spices” CD. That year Simon was approached
by Japanese virtuoso pianist Hiromi to form “The Trio Project” together with
bass legend Anthony Jackson. The trio has recorded four CDs: “Voice,” “Move,”
“Alive” and “Spark” and has been touring throughout the World the past 6 years.
25 years after his first solo recording, Simon released “Protocol II” featuring
Andy Timmons (Guitar), Steve Weingart (Keys) and Ernest Tibbs (Bass). The band,
under the name of “Protocol II,” toured in Europe, the US and Japan. At the
beginning of 2014 “Protocol III” was recorded and tours of Europe, Japan and
the US followed. And now much to the excitement of Simon Phillips fans
worldwide, the new CD, “Protocol 4,” will be released on October 27th!
Ernest Tibbs (Bass) – Ernest has worked with Natalie Cole,
Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight (musical Madam Lilly), James Ingram, Melba Moore,
Eloise Laws, and Debra Laws. Ernest has also toured and/or performed with Allan
Holdsworth, Simon Phillips, Dean Brown, Harvey Mason, Scott Henderson, Andy
Summers, Jeff Richman, Thom Rotella, David Benoit, David Garfield, Phil
Upchurch, Dan Segal, Tom Scott, Eric Marienthal, Brian Auger, Ronnie Laws, Jeff
Lorber, Gregg Karukas, Kevin Toney, Pat Kelley, Lee Ritenour, John Pisano,
Brian Bromberg, Brandon Fields, Norman Brown, Russian Pop Star Alsou, as well
as symphony orchestras in San Francisco, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
Greg Howe (Guitar) - Greg has collaborated with artists such
as Dennis Chambers, Victor Wooten, Richie Kotzen, Jason Becker, Billy Sheehan,
Stu Hamm, Simon Phillips, Marco Minneman, John Wetton, Dave Weckl, Bernie
Worrell, Gregg Rolie, Eddie Jobson, and many others. He's also made a name for
himself as a stellar sideman and session musician with artists like Michael
Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Enrique Iglesias, and
many more. Greg Howe endorses: DV Mark Amps, Kiesel Guitars, D'Addario Strings,
Seymour Duncan Pickups, and Carl Martin Pedals.
Dennis Hamm (Keyboards) - Currently he can be seen on tour
around the world performing with Thundercat (Stephen Bruner), Flying Lotus
(Captain Murphy), Larry Carlton, Jonathan Butler, and Virgil Donati. Recent
past tours and performances include Allan Holdsworth, Chris Cornell, Kenny
“Babyface” Edmonds, Ryan Leslie, John Densmore (The Doors), Bilal, and Judith
Hill (Michael Jackson). Other artists he has performed or recorded with are
Kenny Loggins, Pete Escovedo, Will Kennedy & Jimmy Haslip (The Yellowjackets),
Walter Smith III, Jojo Mayer, Ronald Bruner Jr., Cliff Almond, Frank Gambale,
Hadrien Feraud, Jimmy Johnson, Janek Gwizdala, Bob Reynolds, Marcus Belgrave,
Tony Macalpine, Mike Miller, Thomas Pridgen, Sheila E, Justo Almario, Tony
Royster Jr., Melvin Davis, Jimmy Branly, Brian Bromberg, Renee Olstead,
Carlitos del Puerto, Sandro Albert, Buck Owens' “Buckaroos”, Monty Byrom, The
Smokin' Armadillos, and his own original projects including funk/jazz group
Mother Funk Conspiracy featuring L.A. saxophonist Zane Musa.
Protocol European & US Tour 2017
Simon's new band will be on tour promoting “Protocol 4”
starting October 26th.
October 26, 2017 Zug CH Theatrer Casino Zug
October 27, 2017 Verona IT Theatro Ristori
October 28, 2017 San Dona Di Piave IT Revolver Club
October 29, 2017 Rome IT Crossroads
October 30, 2017 Bologna IT Bravo Caffe
October 31, 2017 Bologna IT Bravo Caffe
November 2, 2017 Waidhoen AD Ybbs AT Plenkersaal
November 3, 2017 Katovice PL NOP SR
November 4, 2017 Krakow PL Club TBA
November 6, 2017 Vienna AT Porgy & Bess
November 8, 2017 Buhl DE Jazztival
November 9, 2017 Ravensburg DE Trans4Jazz
November 10, 2017 Reichenburg DE Bergkeller
November 11, 2017 Munster DE Jovel
November 13, 2017 Hobro DK Bil Forretningen
November 14, 2017 Kolding DK Godset
November 15, 2017 Copenhagen DK Amager Bio
November 16, 2017 Oslo NO Cosmopolite
November 17, 2017 Larvik NO Bolgen Kulturhus
November 18, 2017 Gothenburg SE Nefertiti
November 19, 2017 Stockholm SE Fasching
November 20, 2017 London UK Ronnie Scott's
November 21, 2017 London UK Ronnie Scott's
November 23, 2017 Hasbergen DE Masterclass
November 24, 2017 Hasbergen DE Gaste Garage
November 25, 2017 Hasbergen DE Gaste Garage
November 26, 2017 Zoetermeer NL De Boerderij
November 27, 2017 Hengelo NL Metropol
November 28, 2017 Verviers BE Spirit Of 66
November 29, 2017 Aschaffenburg DE Colos-Saal
November 30, 2017 Tallinn EE Russian Cultural Cnt
December 1, 2017 Rorschach CH Jazzclub Rorschach
December 2, 2017 Lichtenstein LI Little Big Beat Studios
December 4, 2017 New York City NY Iridium
December 5, 2017 New York City NY Iridium
December 6, 2017 New Hope PA Havana
December 8, 2017 Chicago IL Reggie's
December 9, 2017 Chicago IL Reggie's
December 10, 2017 Detroit MI Jazz Café @ Music Hall
December 12, 2017 Hollywood CA Catalina's Bar & Grill
December 13, 2017 Hollywood CA Catalina's Bar & Grill
December 14, 2017 Santa Cruz CA Kuumbwa Jazz Center
December 18, 2017 Oakland CA Yoshi's
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