Phil West

Trumpet & Flugel

Phil's passion for music started in the 4th grade. While in Junior
High, Phil attended a jazz camp at Valdosta State College in Georgia   
where he studied under Jamey Abersold and Willie Thomas. Phil's
passion for jazz was born here. After experimenting with the typical
marching band, concert band, and jazz band scenes in Junior and
High school, Phil decided to continue his quest for musical excellence
in college, only after receiving numerous awards including the Louie
Armstrong award for best high school jazz musician.

Phil then went on to college where he studied under Don Coats, a trumpet
teacher and director at Abraham Baldwin College (ABAC). While at ABAC,
Phil had the opportunity to study with Bill Waltrous (Trombone).
After two years and after receiving awards at ABAC, Phil moved on to
Valdosta State College to study under Bob Greenhaw (an incredible sax
player and instructor). While at Valdosta, Phil enjoyed playing with a
40's dance big band, various jazz combos, the marching and concert bands, and the VSC Jazz Ensemble. Two years later, in 1988, Phil moved to Atlanta
to finish his Electronic Engineering degree at Southern Polytechnic State University where he was the student band director for the Southern Tech
(now Southern Poly.) jazz ensemble.

After completing his first CD entitled
"Phil West - Samples of The Soul" in 1999, Phil
went on to form the jazz group 'Due West' and since
then has recorded several TV shows for MediaOne in
Atlanta Georgia. In 2009 Phil started experimenting
with Smooth Jazz and now incorporates elements
of Smooth Jazz, R&B and Funk in his performances.
Phil is currently living in the Atlanta area and enjoys
studio work as well as playing at jazz venus around
the Atlanta area. Phil's musical influences include
Lee Morgan, Sal Marquez, Dizzie Gillespie, Miles
Davis and Herb Alpert.