Inducted into the Savannah jazz Hall of Fame!

Jazz Bassist, Composer, Songwriter Phil Morrison Inducted into the Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame!  September 21, 2024

The Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the city's jazz scene. Notable members include Joe "King" Oliver, Johnny Mercer, Ben Tucker, James Moody, and Teddy Adams. The Hall of Fame, overseen by Savannah Jazz, features over 50 inductees, including prominent musicians and figures who have impacted jazz locally, nationally, and internationally. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/14GpJcnmwVT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Striving to be of Service to Humanity
by Promoting International Harmony through Music

Good Locke for Alain Locke

Honoring the great philosopher, ALAIN LOCKE,
born on September 13, 1885 who was considered “DEAN” of the HARLEM RENAISSANCE and the
first African-American Rhodes scholar in 1907.
 He was also an early member of the
BAHA’I FAITH in America.

 Please give a listen to this original tribute song for a great humanitarian and an activist for social and racial justice!



“Good Locke”

https://youtu.be/fvXxXctN3II?si=ZKkbI7mI5JqhuO-o

Thanks for listening to this original tribute song for a great humanitarian!

Golden Isles Lifetime Achievement Music Award

My good friend Anthony Stubelek, who is the premier recording engineer, producer, band leader, videographer and all around music person in this area of the Georgia coast, put together a Music Awards event which was presented on St Simons at Palm Coast Coffee shop!

I was so humbled to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, as indicated in the below video.  A big thank you to Anthony and our community for this unexpected but greatly appreciated  token of acknowledgment!      
Phil

A Career Spanning Decades in the World of Jazz: Phil Morrison

This interview on International Jazz Radio with Jazzmeeting host Cynthia Thijs Coenraad from the Netherlands, encapsulates Phil Morrison's decades-long career in the world of jazz!  In his own words, Phil describes his experiences, from the time he was a teenager to the present, as a bassist, composer, and songwriter.   The program presents some recordings of Phil’s original music, which includes tribute compositions, dedicated to the great activists for racial and social justice, MLK Jr and Nelson Mandela as well as originals "Remember Ibo Landing" and "Down in Rio".  The great jazz vocalist, Freddy Cole, opens the program with a beautiful song co-written by Phil Morrison and Ron Zack!

Link to Interview with music.
https://www.jazzmeeting.com/october-19-2022-i-interview-with-phil-morrison/

Freddy Cole – Speak to Me of You – 5:04
Interview Phil Morisson Part I – 11:36
The Phil Morrison Trio; Joe Watts – Remember Ibo Landing – 4:31
Charlie Parker; Dizzy Gillespie – Dizzy Atmosphere – Live – 4:05
Bud Powell – All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm – 3:02
The Phil Morrison Trio; Joe Watts – Mandela – 4:48
The Phil Morrison Trio; Joe Watts – His Message (For MLK Jr.) – 4:11
Interview Phil Morisson Part II – 14:45
Harry Allen; Dave Blenkhorn – Down in Rio – 4:24
Christian McBride Trio – Hallelujah Time – 4:03

 

"Striving to be of Service to Humanity by Promoting International Harmony through Music!" Phil Morrison

WE'RE ONE HUMAN FAMILY

 

Words and Music by Phil Morrison (c) 1991

When we read the paper, watching news on TV

The world it seems is heading for disaster

War, crime, and racism is what we always see

Yet we claim it's harmony we're after

There's wide separation between the rich and poor

Hey... now's the time to change that situation

One thing we can do is open up the door

So every child can get an education

We're One Human Family

And all we want is peace

If only for our children

Disunity must cease

We're One Human Family

To care for one another

Regardless of your country

religion, class, or color

Look after the environment, eliminate pollution

Help stop the widespread burning of our trees

If we come together we'll find a solutiion

Instead of dumping plastic in our seas

People starve around the world, we still throw food away

Who cares; it's not our family or friend

But no person should suffer, at least that's what we say

Let's practice what we preach and not pretend

We're One Human Family

Our needs are much the same

We eat, sleep, work and play

No matter what's our name

We're One Human Family

There's no need for strife

We have too much in common

And that's a fact of life

We're One Human Family

All Sisters and Brothers

Appreciating differences

We don't believe in "others"

We're One Human Family

Whose lives are connected

The Earth is but One Country
We all must be respected.

THE VALLEY OF SEARCH

⭐️  CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY  THE VALLEY OF SEARCH ... 

A song composed by pianist/arranger Keith Williams,  exemplifies the international harmony of China and the USA and is performed by musicians from both those countries.  Lyrics  by Phil Morrison. 

https://youtu.be/1mRFvJL3jK0?si=fclqehQbf4X-4Qma

THE VALLEY OF SEARCH includes traditional Chinese instruments and is performed by the World Unity Jazz Ensemble (WUJE)
Zhen Wei..........erhu
Shao Jun Yan....dizi
Keith Williams....piano
Phil Morrison.....bass
Chu Wei Min......drums
 Music by Keith Williams

 Lyrics by Phil Morrison

VALLEY of SEARCH (vocal)

(Keith Williams, vocalist with the Phil Morrison Trio)

  music by:  Keith William                        words by:   Phil Morrison

 

 verse 1    

 Comes a time in our life

  When the voice in our soul

  Speaks to us....

 

  Midst the stress and the strife

  As we travel this road 

   Filled with dust

 

  Where do we go

  How do we know

  Who to trust

 

  verse 2      

When we're children we're told

 That the lessons of old

  Guide us through

 

   But the time soon arrives

   When events in our lives

    Are brand new

 

    Where do we go

    How do we know

     What to do

 

 

   bridge 1           

The questions in our mind - surround us

The answers that we find - won't do

Traditions of the past - around us

 Maybe before - but now we need more

 

 

   verse 3        

As we look back to see

What His message would be 

 For that time....

 

  Many chose to reject

  Words He gave to protect 

   Humankind

 

    Now we must see

    World Unity

    Don't be blind

 

    

    bridge 2            

The questions in our mind - surround us

The answers that we find - won't do

Traditions of the past - around us

That (once) was the way - but now's a new day

 

    verse 4         

And we move to the new 

Through the Valley of Search

 From the old

 

'Cause we know it's His will 

 That our journey is led 

  By the soul

 

  Open your heart

  Make a new start

  Reach your goal

                                                                (c)2002williams/morrison

The song below “Lonely Beauty”, featuring the erhu, was also composed by Keith Williams with lyrics by Phil Morrison.

“Lonely Beauty”

 Music and arrangement by Keith Williams.

Jiebing Chen ......erhu

Barry Greene.......guitar

Keith Williams......piano

Phil Morrison........bass

Rudy Manuel........drums

Sam Rodriguez.....percussion

             LONELY BEAUTY

 

Music by:  Keith Williams

Lyrics by:  Phil Morrison

https://www.broadjam.com/songs/philmorrison/lonely-beauty-slow-bossa-vocal 

https://youtu.be/qtbBCzRjfs4?si=ysGLiUTPtwNCdUXX

Blues in the night  -  When dreams speak within

Gone is the light  -  nocturnal scenes

Above the city  -  high

I see   -   I feel   -   That Lonely Beauty....from

Deep in my heart  -  There’s you in my mind

Right from the start  -  

I always knew

The light of love  -  would last

I see   -   I feel   -   Lonely Beauty

                            

Darkness......with the shadow silhouettes

So still.....until the dawn

Morning has come

the city sounds

The rising sun  -  a new day......

 Is now awake  -  from dreams-but the

Night returns  -  to feel once again

A Flame steady burns  -  from the past

Until the light will fade

In the dark  -  

Lonely Beauty......Gone

        (optional 2nd verse)

Vast is the view  -   

of windows unknown

Lights shining through  -  now all alone

So peaceful  in the quiet

I  see   -    I  feel    -   Lonely Beauty

           (c)2005 williams/morrison

The Phil Morrison-Ken Trimmins Jazz Collective

One of the unique elements of the Phil Morrison/Ken Trimmins Jazz Collective is its inclusion of Afrocentric material which pays homage to those who have dedicated their lives to the promotion of social justice and racial equality.  We consider the genre of Jazz, which originated in the USA, to be America’s classical music, performed and respected worldwide.  Unfortunately, that respect and exposure is sorely lacking in the country of its birth, so it is our hope that this American art form, Jazz, can be performed in our schools, libraries, museums, and concert halls nationwide.

We intend to have our musical group, The PMKT Jazz Collective, available for those who wish to help in the promotion of this worthy art form.

At the Ritz
https://youtu.be/Hjn-JRMTPMg?si=Kl1y1iK-mmXhu3k9

Harlemology
https://youtu.be/7yPmhnR8eMk?si=jjwNEVBIKoLk-DIZ

Shanghai Silver 

https://youtu.be/aetLL_OG1hY?si=uajPUFdr5riuQphu

His Message(for MLK)

https://youtu.be/D5Kg7ToOBWs

Mandela 

https://youtu.be/P-RGQ7odgF4

Remember Ibo(Igbo) Landing

https://youtu.be/dx0f-ouW4Fo

The Guardian 

https://youtu.be/mt9sumzj6M8

Strasbourg St Denis

https://youtu.be/3Ioo1uquFG8

Groovin in Honduras 

https://youtu.be/soQFqJIpHf8

April and U

https://youtu.be/m2f6GIHU0RQ