Jonah Phillips

I started the drums at the age of 10, gained by grade 8 at distinction level in 2019 and am currently in my second year studying jazz at Guildhall School of Music & Drama; a highly competitive and well regarded specialist school. I study jazz, but have played a variety of concerts/functions and have experience in funk, rock, afro beat, alternative jazz/fusion and electronic music. My performance experience ranges from big bands, smaller intimate ensembles such as trios, having played in restaurants and pubs, corporate drumming events, New Orleans brass bands and indie rock bands. Last year I performed with a New Orleans group, 'Heart of Brass', at Harpenden Oktoberfest. I am the drummer for Beyond the Blue, a 7-piece new-jazz band. Our music is eclectic ranging from afro-beat to jungle/breakbeat and garage, infused with jazz. We have played at notable venues such as Milton Court, as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival, Hootananny Brixton, Spiegeltent Brighton, The Old Market Brighton, Next Door Records, The Jazz Sanctuary, The Gallimaufry Bristol, The Old Blue Last, Amp Studios and The Jazz Sanctuary. This year we played Cheltenham Jazz Festival, and will be playing at Love Supreme Jazz Festival this summer. As well as live performing I have recording experience with my band, having released two EPs, a 4-track live session video series and currently an album. I am also the drummer for a student run big band, Massive Chops, specialising in Japanese 70s jazz/fusion and based at Guildhall. This year we recorded arrangements of the band CASIOPEA's music. I have been a member of Guildhall's impossibilities, a collaborative large ensemble, twice including performances at the Clore Ballroom at the Royal Festival Hall as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.