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Dudley Phillips

Discography as leader:
Life Without Trousers

Huw Warren
Barrel Organ Far From Home
Hundreds of Things a Boy can Make

Dudley Phillips is a self taught musician who began by playing along to records before joining local rock groups. He went on to win a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music, playing both electric and double basses. On leaving he straight away landed a place in the band of trombonist Annie Whitehead, recording a single and playing at festivals around the world, including India and the Far East .He went on to gain experience by recording and performing with bands led by saxophonist Tim Whitehead, drummer Richard Bailey and vibraphonist Orphy Robinson. Dudley then co-founded jazz group Perfect Houseplants, with pianist Huw Warren, saxophonist Mark Lockheart and drummer Martin France in 1992. To date they have recorded six albums, several of them cross-over projects featuring artists such as Pamela Thorby and The Orlando Consort, garnering considerable critical acclaim.

Dudley has also recorded and performed with jazz musicians including Andy Sheppard, Billy Cobham, Jim Mullen, Iain Ballamy and Martin Speake.

Traveling led to an exposure to and involvement in world music, working with, among others, acclaimed South African singer Sibongile Kumalo, Moroccan Gnawa singer Mustapha Bukbu, Brazilian singer Cibelle and Malian duo Amadou et Miriam. He has also recorded with Egyptian master percussionist Hossam Ramzy, Spanish flamenco singer Chonchi Heredia, kora player Tunde Jegede, and composer Surinder Sandhu¹s Saurang Orchestra; an album which features guitarist Steve Vai.

On the English folk scene he has worked extensively with legendary vocalist June Tabor, with whom he has recorded four albums, with Mark Nevin, Mary Coughlan, Eddie Reader and with young singer-songwriter Adam Masterson, recording his debut album on BMG.

He has long been a member of composer Colin Towns ' Mask Orchestra, recording and touring five albums, including the highly acclaimed Orpheus Suite, which was recently performed live with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Other contemporary music projects Dudley has performed with include the Balinescu Quartet, the Almeida Ensemble and music by composers Stephen Warbeck, Kevin Seargent and Will Gregory.

Throughout his career he has performed with classic songwriters such as Bill Withers, Mica Paris (recording a live gig for TV at Ronnie Scott's), Anja Garbarek and Sophie B.Hawkins. He toured the world with American soul group Womack and Womack for more than a year, recording tracks for a greatest hits album.

Recent projects include filming a live studio gig with legendary English songwriter Robert Wyatt, a new band with Annie Whitehead, a new quartet with Andy Sheppard featuring tabla player Kuljit Bhamra, recording with Amy Winehouse, and concerts with jazz singer Jacqui Dankworth and songwriter Charlie Dore.

Dudley released his debut album as a leader; Life Without Trousers in November 2005 on the Babel Label.