MV: Hi Phil
Phil: Hello,
MV: So you heard about my old web page, Hartbands?
Phil: One of my many students said to me, "you're on a web". Well I didn’t know whose web page it was.
MV: That was a web page that I designed some time back to showcase working musicians, but this interview will appear in “Inner Views” which is also dedicated to working musicians.
Phil: Thank you very much.
MV: There are a lot of drummers, who just play intuitively with no formal training, while there are others who have that intuitive feel but also have formal training. How is it with you? Do you have formal training?
Phil: While at Middletown High School, I also attended JULIUS HARTT SCHOOL OF MUSIC in Hartford Connecticut, then (moved) on to BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC, Boston Mass.
MV: So you were right down the street from the famous Wileys Jazz club.
MV: Are there any master drummers or instructors that come to mind that you’ve studied with or was influenced by?
Phil: While attending Berklee, I studied with Bruce Pasha and then I got the chance…the opportunity to study with world-renowned Drummer ALAN DAWSON. What an opportunity and journey.
MV: Did Berklee prepare you to play with different people and all styles of music?
Phil: I’ve worked with many local performers, playing musical styles ranging from Jazz, Fusion, R&B, (and) Blues to funk. I have also laid down drum tracks for local bands at several recording studios in the Northeast and did recording sessions, which included radio jingles at "DIMENTION SOUND SUTDIOS" (and several other studios in the New York, New England area.)
MV: You have certainly stayed busy.
Phil: Lots of work came my way, it was great…
MV: Lets talk about your time in Boston. Because of Berklee and the ability that Boston has of pulling in great musicians, what were some of your playing or collaborative efforts while there?
Phil: While in Boston I had the honor and great experience to perform with World renowned Jazz Musician, Trumpet player & band leader TIGER OKOSHI. Also being a drummer, the bass player is very important to me. Two very talented Bass Players stick out, one named Jeff Anderson, what a player...and also Kevin Jenkins. To this day, both have played with quite a number of famous Artists.
MV: Did you remain in the Boston area after Berklee?
Phil: After 4+ years at Berklee learning and in Boston playing, I moved on to the "BIG APPLE" NYC.
MV: With your training, you were certainly up for the challenge. Any performers come to mind that you either toured or played with?
Phil: I preformed/toured with Roy Ayres, Lonnie Liston Smith, Maxine Brown, Sister Sledge, Gloria Gayner, Ronnie Dyson, Zulema, and Latin Jazz artist SCIEPO.
MV: Phil, you’ve certainly played with several well known artist and several of them I have certainly admired over the years. Can you talk a little about your session work?
Phil: I've recorded in Electric Lady Studios, RCA, Capital, Philly Groove Records, and Fania Records.... Eventually I moved back to Connecticut and continued my journey as a drummer, continuing to perform and lay down drum tracks (at) various studio sessions.
MV: What about studio work in the Connecticut area?
Phil: I was hired for many local recording sessions, The Tape Works, Studio 19, Don Elliot Enterprises, just to name a few.
MV: Yes, a lot of good music came out of those studios in the eighties. You are definitely a working musician and you stay very busy. Now more so than ever, your formal training seems to play an important role in your abilities as an instructor. When did you start your role as an instructor?
Phil: Shortly after the Connecticut sessions, I began to teach drums, but at the same time, I started a production company called FRANCO PRODUCTIONS, began a publishing company, CHILD'S PLAY PUBLISHING, a BMI affiliate and also engineered and mixed my own recordings for CRYSTAL RECORDINGS.
MV: It is clear that your knowledge of the music business is vast and can’t be covered here, but at some point in the future, perhaps we could focus on drumming or some of the other faucets of your career.
MV: Before we close, is there anything else you would like to say?
Phil: Many artists have passed through on their own musical journey and I was fortunate to be a part of some of those musical experiences, however, my personal journey isn't over yet. Musically, I know there are still things for me to say. I'd say, " The Best Is Yet To Come."
