Phil Upchurch

Phil Upchurch (born 19 July 1941, Chicago, Illinois) is an American jazz and R&B guitarist and bassist.

Life and work

Phil Upchurch began playing in R&B backing bands, including those of The Kool Gents, The Dells, and The Spaniels. He eventually formed the Phil Upchurch Combo, and their song "You Can't Sit Down" reached the US Top 30 in 1961 and the UK Top 40 on its reissue five years later. The band included:

*Cornell Muldrow (organ)
*David Brooks (saxophone)
*Mac Johnson (trumpet)
*Joe Hoddrick (drums)

Dee Clark used "You Can't Sit Down" as a theme song. Upchurch had his most successful collaboration with keyboardist Tennyson Stephens in the 1970s. Their album Upchurch/Tennyson was released on KUDU/CTI Records in 1975. The LP was produced by Creed Taylor, Arrangements were handled by Bob James.

Upchurch later appeared on albums by Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed and Howlin' Wolf. In the 1970s Upchurch appeared on several fusion albums, including Grover Washington, George Benson and The Crusaders. One album in particular is George Benson's 1976 album, Breezin'. Phil Upchurch plays rhythm guitar, except for "Breezin'" and "Six to Four" where he plays bass. In the 1980s he appeared on Marlena Shaw's "Could It Be You". He has also collaborated with Chaka Khan, Booker T. Jones, Leroy Hutson and Michael Jackson.

Upchurch received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1997.

Discography

*"You Can't Sit Down" (Boyd 1961)
*"You Can't Sit Down, Part Two" (United Artists 1961)
*"Twist The Big Hit Dances" (United Artists 1961)
*"Feeling Blue" (Milestone 1968)
*"Upchurch" (Cadet Concept 1968)
*"The Way I Feel" (Cadet Concept 1969)
*"Darkness, Darkness" (Blue Thumb 1972)
*"Lovin' Feelin"' (Blue Thumb 1973)
*"Upchurch Tennyson" (Kudu 1975)
*"Phil Upchurch" (1978)
*"Revelation" (Jam 1982)
*"Name Of The Game" (Jam 1983)
*"Companions" (Paladin 1985)
*"L.A. Jazz Quintet" (Pro Arte 1986)
*"All I Want" (Ichiban 1991)
*"Love Is Strange" (Go Jazz 1995)
*"Whatever Happened to the Blues?" (Ridgetop/Bean 1997)
*"Rhapsody & Blues" (Go Jazz 1999)

External links

* [http://www.philupchurch.com/ Phil Upchurch official site]
* [http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Phil%20Upchurch.html Phil Upchurch page] via soulwalking.com