Jazz Legends: SIMON PHILLIPS • Protocol V feat: Alex Sill, Ernest Tibbs,Otmaro Ruiz & Jacob Scensey

Across more than four decades, legendary drummer Simon Phillips has demonstrated an exceptional talent for excelling in virtually any musical setting. Precision, intensity and emotion are hallmarks of his sound across every context. By his twenties, he had already collaborated with iconic musicians including Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Pete Townshend, Al Di Meola, Jon Anderson, Jan Hammer, Stanley Clarke, Jon Lord, Mike Oldfield, Brian Eno and others. High-profile recordings and tours soon followed with artists such as Mick Jagger, Asia, The Who, Gary Moore, Joe Satriani and many more. However, it was the premature passing of drummer Jeff Porcaro that led to Phillips' 21-year tenure in Toto (1992-2014), marked by ten albums and numerous world tours. During this period he also worked on various projects led by Steve Lukather, Michael Schenker, Derek Sherinian and others. His own compositions and group concept began to take shape with the Protocol II album in 2013. There have since been three more Protocol albums, culminating with Protocol V in 2022. The band now features longtime electric bassist Ernest Tibbs, veteran keyboardist Otmaro Ruiz (John McLaughlin), Jacob Scesney on saxophones and the brilliant young guitarist Alex Sill.