Born in Berkeley in 1957, Phil began performing as a solo street performer after high school, followed by 20 years with various bands in Santa Cruz, before moving back to the East Bay in 1996. After initially working in support of Steve Kimock and Bob Weir & Ratdog, Phil resumed performing regularly in bands and solo in Bay Area venues.

Self-taught on guitar, keys, mandolin, bass, and harmonica, and possessing a soulful vocal style, Phil's initial influences include all the great electric blues artists, classic 60s rock, and SF psychedelic bands (with a special connection to the Grateful Dead since 1970).

The Allman Brothers subsequently became a main source of inspiration, along with a wide variety of folk, blues, rock and soul artists, from Otis Spann, Hot Tuna, Taj Mahal, and Peter Rowan, to Eric Clapton, Santana, and Mick Taylor - to name a few.

Other major influences through the years have included Steely Dan, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, David Lindley, Steve Kimock and Zero, the Jerry Garcia Band, the David Nelson Band, and String Cheese Incident, as well as blues, bluegrass, folk and reggae artists. 

Phil has recorded several CDs of both solo and group projects; and since 2003, has added classic organ jazz to his repertoire, continuing to extend his musical versatility in new directions.