Reader Spotlight: Phil Mann

Phil Mann

Meet Phil Mann, a busy bassist, journalist and educator living in London. Just looking at Phil’s gig list is impressive enough, and we loved his answer to the “Day Gig” question.

Phil is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story…

Bio:

I’m a graduate of the Players School Of Music in Clearwater Florida – having studied under Jeff Berlin. Prior to that I received both a Masters Degree in Jazz and Bachelor Degree in popular music. I write for Bass Guitar Magazine UK on a monthly basis, and am I’m the author of “Chord Tone Concepts” – a three volume chord tone studies manual for bass guitar. In the studio I’ve recorded at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, and am endorsed by both Overwater Bass Guitars and Vanderkley Amplification.

Location:

London, England

Day gig:

Sleeping! By night I’ve appeared on “Dancing In The Streets” (at The Aldwich, Playhouse and Cambridge Theatres) and across Europe on musicals such as, “Jesus Christ Super Star”, “Anything Goes”, “Little Shop Of Horrors”, “Fame”, “Bugsy Malone”, “Grease”, “Jack The Ripper”, “One Night In Vegas”, “Sunshine on Leigh”, as part of the British Philharmonic Orchestra (with Martyn Lucas from Britain’s Got Talent), “Beyond Phantom”, “The Pirates of Penzance”, “Canterbury Tales”, “Livin La Vida Loca”, “Return To The Forbidden Planet”, “One Step Closer”, “Wondrous Stories”, “Lady and The Vamp” and “Hairspray”. This year I’ve been playing electric and double bass for a live production of “If I Can Dream”, Elvis Presley’s 2015 platinum selling album – tour dates have included shows at the London O2, alongside members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Years experience:

20 Years

Bands & Gigs:

Full time. Alongside the shows, I’m a founding member and MD of the covers band, Counterflow – a five piece funk/soul project that plays a lot of the London clubs in and around Soho. There’s a whole heap of audio and media on our facebook/twitter pages, so come and check us out!

Gear:

  • Overwater Progress Range
  • Fender Custom Shop Pro 2012, Elite Jazz
  • Vanderkley and Genzler Amplification
  • MXR/EBS Pedals

Why I play the bass:

If I’m honest, jealousy. All my mates were in garage bands and I wanted join the party. I had no idea it would turn into a career, should have been a dentist or a lawyer.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

Most bassist will know me for my masterclass appearances at the London Bass Guitar shows at Olympia and for also being part of the teaching faculty at both The Players School of Music in Florida and Scott’s Bass Lessons (.com). Over the last 7 years I’ve also taught over 200 bass students at the Bass Institute in London, before taking a lecturing sabbatical back in December.

My influences:

Jeff Berlin, Jerry Scheff, and Duck Dunn. I’m a sucker for anything on the STAX, Sun Records and Motown labels – All wonderful innovative recordings that shaped the future of 21st music).

I urge anyone who doesn’t know of Jerry Scheff and the TBC band to get on Google immediately! In particular, check out the live recordings in Las Vegas of Suspicious Minds i nthe 1970’s, the bass playing is mind blowing.

More on the web:

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  1. Phil is a great guy and great player. I had the pleasure of meeting him while at the Player’s School for a hang. Great to see him here!