"Since the sad passing of Lynden David Hall the UK scene has been deprived of a male jazz-soul vocalist of genuine acoustic class, minus all the bling and innuendo of lesser talents. Hall's jaw dropping voice was best heard when backed simply by his own accomplished George Benson style acoustic guitar work. This gap is finally being filled by the emergence of Bristol based PHIL KING who's quietly reclaiming jazz-infused soul music of real depth and quality. Now releasing his beautifully funky acoustic solo debut "Leaves", Kings voice reminds one as much of Nick Drake as an impassioned Bill Withers, on songs that are as delicately crafted as they are cliche free; he's also a spellbinding performer, go see him live.”- Jazzwise Magazine UK

Born in 1978, Phil has been singing his whole life. At 12yrs old, his parents took him to see Eric Clapton at the Albert Hall. The next day, he picked up a guitar, and formed his first band with some school friends. He also began collecting records, buying old Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, B.B.King and Muddy Waters Albums.
In 1994 he went to Alton Tertiary College, Hampshire, and played guitar in his college jazz band, and with some other members, formed a 5-piece Acid Jazz band, for which he wrote his first songs.
In 1996, he went to University in Bristol, and continued to write and gig with a new band formed from friends he met at the University Jazz Funk Soul society. Bristol has been his home ever since.
In spring 2002, following a relatively inactive musical period, Phil went to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He now sees this as an inspirational turning point (with thanks to Funk Soul Brother, Tom Bass). Maybe it was seeing Taj Mahal, or Galactic and Zoometric, or Dr John and The Meters, (or maybe drinking beer all day under the Louisiana sun had more of an effect on him). Returning to Bristol, he began again to pursue music with renewed energy. He soon became a regular at Tantric Jazz Cafe open mic sessions, and it was here he formed relationships with many Bristol musicians that led to him taking up music full time.
Phil now performs live on a regular basis around the UK, as a singer fronting bands, as a solo artist accompanying himself on guitar and as a backing vocalist. He has performed at many festivals including Glastonbury, Ashton Court, Trowbridge and Priddy Folk Fest.
As well as writing music for performance, Phil has a keen interest in other forms of composition. In April 2004, he composed the music for "Out of Sight In The Direction Of My Body", a contemporary dance piece by choreographer Laila Diallo, which was shown at the Place theatre, London. Following this, Philip and Laila worked together on Spaces Between in Spring 2005, an Arts Council funded research and development project, exploring ways of creating new dance and music, which lead to the completion of 2 new pieces, "Waiting Fleeing" and "Between the Shingle and the Dune".

Phil also teaches guitar and singing including group sessions in schools, workshops in youth centres, and private tuition.

For more info visit www.myspace.com/philmking

PHIL KING DEBUT ALBUM "LEAVES" AVAILABLE NOW AT www.phil-king.net or in FOPP in BRISTOL, BATH, CHELTENHAM and LONDON (tottenham court rd) and at BROAD ST JAZZ in Bath