Rooted in Texas Funk, Alabama Gospel, New Orleans Jazz, and Nashville Soul, Philip Lassiter is an 11-time Grammy award winning horn/string arranger, and former section leader/arranger of Prince and the New Power Generation. He just released the first single from his new Philty album that drops in March 2021 and it has a powerful message; Make America Love Again!
It was in Nashville that Philip formed his 14 piece Soul/Funk band Philthy which is representative of his working relationships with the best players and performers in Nashville, New York, and L.A. including American Idol superstar Elliott Yamin and Dutch-Caribbean sensation, Josephine Rojer. Philthy has been imbued with the soul of a musical saviour and the manic energy of a deliciously decadent devil. With the humor and lyrical flow of Slim Shady before the music biz ate him up, Philthy could be the lovechild of Andre 3000 and Aretha Franklin, with James Brown laying down the blessing. It's a high energy live show that can't be missed.
In L.A., Philip has quickly garnered respect as the go to arranger and trumpet player for iconic artists such as: Prince, Kirk Franklin, Ariana Grande, Timbaland, Roberta Flack, Jill Scott, Rodney Darkchild Jerkins, Hamilton w/ Barack Obama, Cece Winans, Kelly Rowland, Fantasia, Anderson Paak, Yelawolf, Queen Latifa, Al Jarreau, Fred Hammond, The Isley Brothers, Marsha Ambrosia, Ledisi, Johnny Lang, Donald Lawrence, Anthony Hamilton, Richard Smallwood, Karen Clarke, Dorinda Clarke Cole, Bebe Winans, Ricky Dillard, Anita Wilson, Natalie Grant, James Fortune, John P Kee, Anthony Brown, Myron Butler & Levi, Regina Belle, Cory Henry, My Morning Jacket, Lee Ann Womack, Big & Rich, and more.
At age 6, he unwittingly met his first love – the piano – and began belting out Amazing Grace like no other kid in Mobile, Alabama. Being the son of a preacher – a man “who sweated every ounce until he was red in the face” – Philip learned how to captivate an audience and he’s taken that spirit on his own unique mission ever since.
A stint in St Louis brought the beauty of big band noise and an ear for improvisation. College in Florida harnessed his gift on the trumpet, provided inroads into Salsa and Merengue, and refined his natural ability as a Jazz Pianist.
Eight years in Dallas under the wing of some of the most talented musicians and producers in the world, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Bernard Wright, Bobby Sparks, Snarky Puppy, Erykah Badu, and many others further expanded his notoriety in the gospel and funk industry.
Several more years in Nashville further diversified Lassiter’s musical portfolio. While there, he worked with the legendary producer Tommy Sims and performed in numerous awards shows such as the Dove Awards and The Stellars.
Philip has performed on stages around the world such as the Essence Festival, Montreaux Jazz Fest, Jam Cruise 2020, United Center Chicago, North Sea Jazz Festival Curacao, Bonnaroo, Titan Stadium, The World Cafe in Philadelphia, Arsenio Hall, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon.
Check out the first single from the new Philty album 'Live In Love' ft. Charles Jones, Christine Noel, Robert Searight and many more!
Want some more funky stuff? Have at it!
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