Friday, February 24, 2023

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


Wednesday, October 19, 2022

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!


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

Saturday, December 18, 2021

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 difference
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.

Thursday, October 29, 2020

THE VALLEY OF SEARCH


⭐️ ðŸŽ¶ CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY ðŸŽ¶ ðŸŒŸTHE VALLEY OF SEARCH ðŸŒŸ... 
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. 


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”(Keith vocal)
                Music by Keith Williams
                Lyrics by Phil Morrison

             LONELY BEAUTY
 
Music by:  Keith Williams
Lyrics by:  Phil Morrison
 
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

Monday, October 19, 2020

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.
His Message(for MLK)

Mandela 

Monday, August 3, 2020

Barack Obama - "Yes We Can"



music by: Phil Morrison, 
                  Keith Williams
words by: Phil Morrison



Yes We Can! 
That's what he's always said.
Barack Obama!

Yes We Can! 
That's what he's always said. 
Barack Obama!
 
People 'round the world - cheer the mention of his name
You see there's something special in this man
From Paris to Beijing - the voices say the same
Barack Obama,  Yes We Can!!

You could feel the happiness - after his election
Peace between all nations is the plan
His words proclaim..World Unity.. is now the right direction
Barack Obama,  Yes We Can!!

The violence and warfare - we do to one another
Does it matter how our children feel?
To fight against your enemy's to fight against your brother
We're One Human Family....that's for real!

Yes We Can!  That's what he's always said. Barack Obama!
Yes We Can! That's what he's always said. Barack Obama!

"Change" is the battlecry - to find a new solution
Everyone can lend a helping hand
All the nations 'round the earth will work to fight pollution
Barack Obama, Yes We Can!!

His background's international....color..black & white
Although America is his homeland
He's the champion for All people and he will do what's right
Barack Obama, Yes We Can!!

The violence and warfare - we do to one another
Does it matter how our children feel?
To fight against your enemy's to fight against your brother
We're One Human Family....that's for real!

(additional verses 2010...not on recording)

        "Don't Ask Don't Tell" - a policy he made to disappear
        Equal rights for all is our demand
        Noone in this country should be made to live in fear
        Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

        Health Care is a service that we need for everyone
        His deep concern from when his term began
        Many tried before him - but Obama got it done
        Barack Obama.....Yes, We Can!

        Unemployment, poverty....both need elimination
        His words and deeds all tell us where he stands
        Raising up the standards of our childrens' education
        Barack Obama.....Yes, We Can!

        9/11 came and we saw the brave responders
        Saving people through the dust and sand
        Now there's legislation - ignoring them no longer
        Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

        The world moves toward disarmament - nuclear reduction
        The building of more bombs is now banned
        Passage of the "S T A R T Bill"  limits their production
        Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

        International harmony he's striving to attain
        Soon our troops will leave Afghanistan
        The image of America is back to "good" again
        Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

        The industry for autos in this country is now back
        The best cars are not only from Japan
        With help they got from Washington - sales are back on track
        Barack Obama.....Yes, We Can!

(additional verses 2011)

        Committed to the goal that our country come together
        Just listen to his message from Tucson
        That words we say have consequences and may last forever
        Barack Obama....Yes, We Can

        Inherited big problems from the last administration
        Solving them for us is why he ran
        We can "Win The Future!" ...his words of inspiration
        Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

         Yes We Can!
         That's what he's always said.
         Barack Obama!    ....We're Fired Up!!!
         Yes We Can!

         That's what he's always said.
         Barack Obama!

        (....to be continued as we approach the 2012 election....:-)

http://philtrio.blogspot.com (....Obama Song with original lyrics)

Striving to be of Service to Humanity
by Promoting International Harmony through Music
Click here to listen.

(c) 2/2/09 pm/kw

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Justice Now - Black Lives Matter!


This piece was written and recorded to draw attention to and help maintain the positive activism for racial and social justice brought about by the Black Lives Matter movement!

Words & music by Phil Morrison
Vocals & tracks by Joe Watts

(Choruses)
Justice now....we  been waitin’ too long
Justice now....this racism’s wrong
Justice now....that’s why I’m singing this song...
.....Black Lives Matter

Justice Now.... it can’t be denied
Justice Now...Let the Black Standards fly
Justice Now...We’re the Pupil of the Eye
....Black Lives Matter

(Verses)
From 400 years when the slave trade began and
Racial oppression prevailed
It’s still goes on now throughout this land
Your complexion can land you in jail

(Chorus)
Justice Now... give us respect
Justice Now.. it says
“Serve and Protect”
Justice Now... take that knee off our neck.... Black Lives Matter

(Verses)
Work in the fields ‘til you die or
you’re sold
At a place they called the plantation

Free labor we gave worth millions in gold
But deprived an education

Time passes by but injustice remains
Our free labor never got paid
The gap between rich..and poor is the same
Reparations must now be made

(Chorus)
Justice Now.. for all humankind
Justice Now..’cause justice is blind
Justice Now...we won’t stay behind
... Black Lives Matter

Justice Now...we been waitin’ too long
Justice Now...this racism’s wrong
Justice Now...that’s why I’m singin’ this song
...Black Lives Matter

(c)2020 Phil Morrison

philtrio.blogspot.com