A prolific guitarist who is comfortable playing
blues, soul, R&B, and jazz, Phil Upchurch has been a prominent
figure in Chicago music circles since the mid-'50s. He initially
did freelance sessions with such musicians as Jerry Butler before
becoming house guitarist for Chess. Upchurch's sensitive, often
funky chording, riffs, and licks were heard on numerous releases
by such artists as the Dells, Howlin' Wolf, Gene Chandler, and
Muddy Waters.
He frequently teamed with drummer Maurice White, who later headed
Earth, Wind & Fire. He formed the Phil Upchurch Combo in the
early '60s, and had a hit with the instrumental "You Can't
Sit Down" in 1961. They did some follow-up singles, but none
equaled the initial record's success. Upchurch did several soul-jazz
and funk dates for such labels as Sue and Cadet in the mid- and
late '60s. He signed with Blue Thumb in the '70s and split his
time between sessions with the Crusaders and Ben Sidran and making
his own albums.
Tommy LiPuma produced Darkness, Darkness and Lovin' Feelin in
1972 and 1973. Upchurch did one LP for Creed Taylor's Kudu label
in 1975, Upchurch Tennyson, with pianist/vocalist Tennyson Stephens.
He returned to studio work, but recorded as a leader for Palladin
in 1985, Ichiban in 1991, and Ridgetop in 1995 and 1997. He remains
active as a session musician and bandleader, returning in 1999
with Rhapsody & Blues. Tell the Truth appeared in spring 2001.
|
