egroj world: Phil Upchurch • Phil Upchurch Presents L.A. Jazz Quintet

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Phil Upchurch • Phil Upchurch Presents L.A. Jazz Quintet

Artist Biography by Ron Wynn

A prolific guitarist who is comfortable playing blues, soul, R&B, and jazz, Phil Upchurch has been a prominent figure in Chicago music circles since the mid-'50s. He initially did freelance sessions with such musicians as Jerry Butler before becoming house guitarist for Chess. Upchurch's sensitive, often funky chording, riffs, and licks were heard on numerous releases by such artists as the Dells, Howlin' Wolf, Gene Chandler, and Muddy Waters. He frequently teamed with drummer Maurice White, who later headed Earth, Wind & Fire. He formed the Phil Upchurch Combo in the early '60s, and had a hit with the instrumental "You Can't Sit Down" in 1961. They did some follow-up singles, but none equaled the initial record's success. Upchurch did several soul-jazz and funk dates for such labels as Sue and Cadet in the mid- and late '60s. He signed with Blue Thumb in the '70s and split his time between sessions with the Crusaders and Ben Sidran and making his own albums. Tommy LiPuma produced Darkness, Darkness and Lovin' Feelin in 1972 and 1973. Upchurch did one LP for Creed Taylor's Kudu label in 1975, Upchurch Tennyson, with pianist/vocalist Tennyson Stephens. He returned to studio work, but recorded as a leader for Palladin in 1985, Ichiban in 1991, and Ridgetop in 1995 and 1997. He remains active as a session musician and bandleader, returning in 1999 with Rhapsody & Blues. Tell the Truth appeared in spring 2001.

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/phil-upchurch-mn0000286479/biography

///////

Biografía del artista por Ron Wynn

Un guitarrista prolífico que se siente cómodo tocando blues, soul, R&B y jazz, Phil Upchurch ha sido una figura prominente en los círculos musicales de Chicago desde mediados de los años 50. Inicialmente hizo sesiones freelance con músicos como Jerry Butler antes de convertirse en guitarrista de Chess. Los acordes, riffs y lamidas de Upchurch fueron escuchados en numerosos lanzamientos por artistas como Dells, Howlin' Wolf, Gene Chandler, y Muddy Waters. Frecuentemente se asoció con el baterista Maurice White, quien más tarde dirigió Earth, Wind & Fire. Formó el Phil Upchurch Combo a principios de los años 60, y tuvo un éxito con el instrumental "You Can't Sit Down" en 1961. Hicieron algunos sencillos de seguimiento, pero ninguno igualó el éxito del disco inicial. Upchurch hizo varias citas de soul-jazz y funk para sellos como Sue y Cadet a mediados y finales de los años 60. Firmó con Blue Thumb en los años 70 y dividió su tiempo entre sesiones con los Crusaders y Ben Sidran y haciendo sus propios álbumes. Tommy LiPuma produjo Darkness, Darkness and Lovin' Feelin en 1972 y 1973. Upchurch hizo un LP para el sello Kudu de Creed Taylor en 1975, Upchurch Tennyson, con el pianista y vocalista Tennyson Stephens. Volvió al trabajo de estudio, pero grabó como líder para Palladin en 1985, Ichiban en 1991 y Ridgetop en 1995 y 1997. Sigue activo como músico de sesión y director de orquesta, regresando en 1999 con Rhapsody & Blues. Tell the Truth apareció en la primavera de 2001.

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/phil-upchurch-mn0000286479/biography

www.philupchurch.com ...

Tracks:
01. Summertime
02. Sunday Morning
03. Here's That Rainy Day
04. Big Al
05. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
06. The Look Of Love

Credits:
Brian Bromberg (Bass);
Harvey Mason (Drums);
Phil Upchurch (Guitar);
Bobby Lyle (Piano);
Brandon Fields (Saxophone).

1986