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A Music Related Biography

This page is a dedicated to my family; with a thank you for their love and encouragement. A special thanks to my mom for saving these pictures through the years; and writing on the back, everyone's name, age, and where the pictures were taken.

Born James Daryl Phillips. The family called me Jim or Jimmy.

My home on the south side of Chicago. See my dog "Boots" on the right?

I'm told by my sisters that it all started when I was 2 years old. I would get excited when I heard my favorite song Tico,Tico. They said I could sit at our upright piano and pick out melody lines.

This Picture was taken at 4

They said I could play that flute in tune with a few different records.

This is the first picture I could find with me and the entire family. I was 3.

The Phillips Family

Front Row <L to R> Edna Frances, James Daryl (Jim), & Albert Lee (Al or Shorty),

Back Row <L to R> Marjorie Lee (Marge or Margie), Robert Eugene (Bob) , Lenore Maxine (Maxine or Mackie), & Marilynn Jo ( Marilynn or Pudgie)

Mom had wanted all of her children to have the opportunity to play an instrument or do something musical. As a child she was not allowed to touch her stepmothers' pump organ. Her mom had died when she was very young. Marge and Marilynn still play piano and sing. (mostly at church or at home)

I feel the need at this point to interject my life with my siblings. I was the baby of five. Maxine was 19, Marjorie 17, Bob 14, and Marilynn 10, when I was born. When I was 1 my oldest sister left me for an older man(never forgave him)ha,ha. She was never very far away tho. My brother left for the Navy when I was 3.

My second oldest sister; Marge, performed with the Chicago Opera Company. She also sang with The Ted Williams Orchestra; a local 16 piece danceband, using the stage name Jeri Lynn. She appeared on the TV show, Ted Macks Original Amateur Hour. She didn't win, even though we called like crazy. She had all this; only to quit and get married to a Shoe repairman. (Mom never forgave her for that)

Both of my parents worked. We had great trips as a family, during vacations and holidays BUT:: I went everywhere with my sisters. I went, to the movies, ice skating, roller skating, and even on their dates. The two oldest; were even in some instances, thought to be my mother.

I was raised in Chicago. Besides all the obvious; museums, planitariums, baseball, football, hockey, the lake; It was the theaters I remember the most. In those days; (the 50's), they had live entertainment between the movies. The ball parks and football fields had rodeo's and special shows and events. I have seen Tex Ritter, Roy and Dale w/ Trigger. Cisco and Pancho, Gene Autry, Howdy Doody, The Louis Armstrong Allstars, The Dorsey Bands, Paul Whiteman, and The Glenn Miller Band, just to name a few.

I started playing accordian. I didn't like it much, but I played long enough to learn the keyboard, not long enough to learn cords; unfortunately.

In about a 4 year span, my two oldest sisters married and the youngest(Marilynn); now had to deal with me. I must say she did a marvelous job taking over where the other two left off; getting me out of school to do all sorts of wonderful things. My brother, after service, decided to go out west and be a cowboy, miner, or something. Then my youngest sister married and my parents decided after 5 kids and 27 years that enough was enough. They divorced when I was 10 and in fifth grade.

Mom and I were alone. (Not really, My sisters all lived either in or around the Chicago area.) We visited and went on trips, a great close family.

While on a fishing trip with mom to Hayward Wisconsin, we saw a small band playing in a resort restaurant on Smith Lake. A couple of guys were playing sax. Mom had to drag me away. I told her then and there I wanted to play the sax. I was in fifth grade. Believe it or not, I found a picture of that band. (See Below)

I have no idea where they were from, or the name of the band. I did find out later that my mom went on a date with the drummer. Guess that's why he's grinning at the camera.

Now my sax life, and my introduction to the stage.

Meet Dangerous Dan McGrew.

Charles J. Sahs School,Central Stickney Township, Ill.

7th Grade, I played tenor sax in the band and did a comedic dialog with impersonations and character voices.

From this point on, I was hooked on performing and the applause.!

This is the Reavis H.S. Marching Band Uniform. I was a sophomore

High School was great, lot's of memories. (and girls). Band days at Northwestern, where all the local bands got together and had ONE monster band. During the formation rehearsals we had small groups of jam sessions.(and girls). It wasn't hard to decide between sports and band. The teams never rode on buses with the girls. The band of course was co-ed.

Below is The Reavis High School Band and Chorus.

Mom pointed me out and pointed it out that it was of our spring concert and the picture was on the 1961 calender. This was my junior year.

A very special thanks to Jordan Canzone, our music director; who would throw batons and music stands at us when we made mistakes. YES, he did that; but he was always there when we really needed him. Thanks Coach!

Phil DeMarco and the Valiants

The first band I performed with and got paid. This was cool; or was it boss back then. (during my Freshman and Sophomore years) We played proms, school dances, private party's, roller rink dances and sock hops for the local radio stations. The picture below was taken at Reavis High School during a variety show.

LEFT PICTURE<L to R> Frank Bartasis,guitar; JerryWesolowski,drums: Phil DeMarco,vocalist and Gary Dunne,Lead Guitar.(Phil and Gary are brothers) DeMarco is his stage name. (Thanks Gary, for the help remembering the names.03/03/07)

RIGHT PICTURE ABOVE (we switched positions but you can figure it out) Far right is a rhythm guitarist; who was trying out for the band; This Person was Gary Loizzo of the soon to be: Gary and the Knight Lites( The American Breed) Frank was playing bass. Sorry about the contrast, but these were the only two pics I could find.

We had one single:

A: Come On Lets Go ( R.Valens) lo-fi

B: Lonely Hours (Gary Dunn-Phil Dunn) lo-fi

During the recording session, the owner of the record company didn't like the idea of having an instrumental on the B side. He made Phil add a vocal track. Gary said if he had known that, He would not have been so busy on the guitar. If you listen close you can here the original sax solo too!

I was with The Valiants about 1 year. Phil and Gary moved to Florida with their folks.

UPDATE on Gary Dunne; He has a new CD called Still Growin' Older.

The music on this CD is being considered for a made for cable movie.

I feel honored to be able to share one of the songs with you. (at least until the rights have been finalized)

Sing My Song by G. Dunne hi-fi

Jimmy Daryl and the Don Tays

My first band

We played mostly local teen clubs(they were big back then; really nice places; renuvated old movie houses, first class, great acoustics); but also roller rink partys, Pizza Parlors, and anywhere else that would pay us anything!

BOTH PICTURES<L TO R>Al Mack, Guitar and vocals; John Kanon, lead guitar; Rick Forest, drums and vocals; Jimmy Daryl(yes I have a stage name now)sax and vocals; and Don Cody, bass and vocals. I believe some of the guys used stage names too.

We entered five battle of the bands. I remember winning 2. We had some cool choreography. I also worked days at Amphenol Borg Electronics. Viet Nam had started; JFK murdered. I received my draft notice and left the band to go on without me. I don't know if they did or not. The band had lasted 3 years.

Gary and the Knight Lites (no Pictures)

I wasn't with Gary very long. We met during one of the battle of the bands while playing with the Valiants. Gary asked me to help out on a recording he was getting ready to make. We rehearsed and played a few parties and teen hops. His parents nicknamed me dogbite Jim, 'cause their dog did. We did cut a 45 (single) at Sound Enterprizes in downtown Chicago. Two weeks before the release, I left for the army.

Here are both sides:

A: Take Me Back (G.Loizzo) lo-fi

B: If I'm Lonely Tomorrow (G. Loizzo) lo-fi

If you didn't hear a sax or flute, you are right. These songs were arranged b-4 me, so I sang harmony along with the girls and Gary.

Gary and the Knight Lites changed their name to The American Breed; during Basic, I received a copy of the 45 we did as the Knight Lites.

Gary Loizzo since "Bend Me, Shape Me, Anyway You Want Me" and many more; has become quite famous for work in the studio. He produced and engineered an album for Styxx, an Alabama group.

Went Into The Army

Basic: Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Armed Forces School of Music (Norfolk,Va.) What a fantastic place. I met great musicians from all over.

The 5th Army Band (Ft. Sheridan, Ill.) Super band. I wasn't good enough to stay on. They said I had to get rid of my rock and roll sound and my reading was not up to par.

The 179th Army Band (Fort Carson, Col.) While Stationed at Fort Carson,Colorado; I picked up the Piccolo and the flute. Seems like CWO said no other instrument, no promotion. Concert Band. Marching Band,16 piece Dance Band, and 4 piece Jazz Combo. This was an experience; a great 1 1/2 years.

You haven't lived until you play outside in 20 degree weather. All the wind instruments would freeze and there would be nothing left but drums and bells. All in all the army was a great time.

I was on active duty for two years. I left as specialist 4th class.

The Chozen Few/ or The Sixth Sense

The reason for two names is because the Chozen Few name was copywrited; and we had a contest to name the band. The Sixth Sense won. It gave DJ's fits because it was so hard to say. So! They said it more than once or made some comment about it.

LEFT PICTURE<L to R>Dave Mcbee, guitar bass and vocals; Mark Strauss, guitar bass and vocals; John Rivera, Lead guitar; Troy Valdez ,Bass, trumpet and vocals; Daryl James(thought jimmy daryl sounded to young); & Jim Jones on Drums.

This band was formed exclusively for Jerry Kramer of the Green Bay Packers. We were hired to play in his restaurant and lounge chain called The Red Ram. This was about the time Blood Sweat and Tears came about and we jumped on a lot of their material. We did classic Otis Redding,Herb Albert, comedy skits and coreography.

I talked to Troy Valdez just recently; he's in Colorado Springs and head of a large Company called Tranex. He doesn't play anymore. He's doing fine however.

Here's an article from the Colorado Springs Gazzette Telegraph:

Two years on the road traveling Colorado, Iowa, and Wisconsin: Jerry decided he was in the wrong business and closed his chain. It didn't pan out like we had hoped. Everyone kind of scattered. We had some personal conflicts also. I went back to Colorado Springs.

I went to the Old Corral night club(Colorado Springs) after coming off the road with The Sixth Sense. I walked in and heard a trio that really impressed me. I talked with them on their break and the next night sat in with them and was hired on the spot.

World Blues Inc.

FRONT ROW< L to R >Daryl James, sax and flute and vocals; Paul Branch,guitar and trumpet and vocals. BACK ROW< L to R >Jay Blea, drums and vocals; and Art Candelaria,keys w/ key bass,vocals and trumpet.

I talked to Jay Blea just the other day; He is in Texas and still playing. He teaches drums and percussion and gives clinics in Texas and Mississippi. He 's fine and still enjoys music.

This was a great group, but I missed the road and had just gone thru a divorce. I had gotten married 3 months before getting out of service. I was not ready for marriage and needed a change of scenery. Here we go again. This band lasted 1 1/2 years.

I called Artists Corporation of America in Milwaukee and asked them to find me a group. I told them I wanted to go on the road. They called about 2 months later and I left Colorado Springs and headed for Billings Montana to meet up with:

The Sounds of the Seventies

The Sounds of the Seventies; then a duo. Anthony (Tony) Colonetti,drums and vocals, Bob Mackie on organ and vocals. I don't remember where Tony was from, but Bob was from San Jose', California.

Bob had turned in his notice and was leaving about a month after I arrived. He had arranged for a friend of his from San Jose' to take his place.

Enter John Blosche. John played a B-3 and hammer Fender bass guitar with his left hand at the same time. He also sang well and on certain instances could pick up a guitar and play just as well. He was unbelievable. He also had perfect pitch and could listen to a song and write down the chords without touching a keyboard or anything else. Tony disappeared one weekend and ACA sent us a temporary drummer while we searched for a new one. The Sound of the Seventies name disappeared along with Tony.

We met a young lady who was singing with a piano player in a small lounge at the resort in Osh Kosh, Wisc. She was quite good and so we hired her and fulfilled the rest of the 3 week contract. We went on the road as:

The Jill Scott Four

ABOVE< L to R>Jill Scott;Don ?;temporary drummer; Daryl James (notice hairline); John Blosche B-3.

ABOVE RIGHT <L to R> Daryl James; Jill; John; and Sherwood Alper from Milwaukee.

We were on the road about a year. Jill could sing like Marilynn MaCoo of the 5th Dimension or Roberta Flack or Joanie Mitchell or Melissa Manchester; very versatile. Sherwood sang well & did impersonations and wrote some great comedy skits. 4 part harmony was common and very good. The band was great at Choreography and do-wop, oldie songs and costumes.

Sherwood went on to perform with the Four Lads. We have kept in touch through the years. He is still in Milwaukee and can be seen performing at the Packing House and other venues.

I just had to include the one below. My 58 Caddy and trailer(trailer was built by my brother in law Dick; Marilynn's husband). I could tell you many stories about pulling that trailer through ice and snow in the midwest; but there was great weather also and many happy times.

About a year later we traded Sherwood for Mike Malazgar from Minneapolis. He sang a little better and could play guitar and trumpet. I doubled on drums for some of his featured tunes. (and I have hair)

We were billed as a show band and played for The Kahler Plaza Hotel chain, The Left Guard restaurant chain; owned by Fuzzy Thurston and Max Maggee of the GB Packers, many hotel chains, and other resorts and night clubs throughout the states. Artists Corp. of America really kept us busy. We added Wayne ?(my mind went fuzzy about this time) a friend of Mike's also from Minneapolis. He played lead guitar and sang very well. We had to beg for time off. We traveled to almost every state in the U.S. for about 4 years.

To make a long story short in 1974; while in Birmingham Alabama, Jill Scott was killed. We tried to hold the rest of the group together but it didn't work out. I lost my way and decided to quit music. Wayne, John, and Mike, played together for about a year. I lost track of them.

I just heard that John Blosche passed in 2006. He was by far the best organist/keyboard player I have ever performed with. He is in my thoughts always.

In 1975, I became a transplanted(no pun intended) southerner, moving to Mobile, Alabama and opening a hair replacement studio. I didn't perform again until 1978, where I began playing with a local pianist, Tom Decker and drummer Charlie Blanchard at Constantine's Restaurant. Shortly there after; I sold the hair studio and managed The Blue Max, a local disco club. I also DJ'd 2 nights a week. The owner decided to retire; didn't renew his lease and sold his license. I worked doing anything to keep food on the table.

I contacted Glenn Normand of The Grand Band Agency to check into availability of saxophone gigs.

The Grand Band

<LtoR>Glenn Normand;Leader & keys; Daryl Phillips(easier to remember); Rachel Jennings,vocalist; Bart Jennings, Guitar; and Mike Garlo, drums and vocals.

Glenn owns Grand Entertainment; the oldest agency on the gulf coast. He has been booking acts all over the southeast since the early 70s.

I still play on occasion with the Grand Band; usually for softer jazz jobs or when they need an extra piece to fulfill a contract. Glenn uses midi files on the smaller jobs; my first introduction to midi's.

I have known Glenn and played with his group on and off for 26 years.

visit: grandband.com

There were some jobs but not enough to support a new wife.

Yes I said wife. I married a beautiful southern belle; Sandy, and had a new son, Daniel Flynn; 2 1/2 years old.

I started working at a tire company as manager, moved to Atlanta for 2 years then back to Mobile for another year. Left the tire folks and joined the largest home improvement center. I was with them for 9 1/2 years. Then went into the construction trade. Doing remodeling and sub- contracting work. During this time I played part time with the groups below:

Tribute

Left Picture: <L to R > Mike Garlo, Leader, Drums and vocals; Tony Bowers, Guitar and vocals; Mike Busby,bass; Daryl Phillips, sax, flute, and vocals; Bruce Stickel, keys, trumpet, and vocals.

Mike had left the Grand Band and started his own group. We played everywhere around the gulf coast. Good band; Good comedy skits. Most important, we had fun.

To hear about more Mike Garlo click HERE

Jazzamatazz

Thom Oglesby is the keyboard player on the right. We have played together and he has booked me for 25 years. Thom is a great singer and plays keys,w/foot or hand bass, and also plays guitar very well. Jazzamatazz is an offshoot of The Tribute Band. Thom, Mike Garlo and myself, started the group for jobs where we couldn't bring the whole Tribute band. This is a more recent picture. visit: abetterchoicemusic.com

The Jubilation Band

Unfortunately this band was great for special events and during Mardi Gras, but where does a 9 piece band play other than that? All of us had day gigs, so that rulled out much travel. Harry, Bill, Joe, and Mitchell played quite often, but the rest of us were usually not booked. I played with them on and off for about 2 years.

Percy Sledge with Rosa

and The Platters

<L to R>seated:Bill Clark; saxes, Don Benson; drums, Pam Kohler; vocalist, Harry Teaford; Band leader, lead vocalist and bass, Mitchell Till; guitar,

<Back row:> Don Morris; trumpet, Joe Ferguson; keys, Daryl Phillips; saxes, and Medley Curry; trombone.

This band was awesome. All great musicians. Great vocalists and super Harmony.

This is what allowed us to back up these great groups listed and pictured below.

The members still playing together are; Bill, Don, Joe, and Mitchell. The saxman, drummer, keyboardist, and guitarist.

visit: jubilationband.com

If you notice, the autograph's don't jive with the picture. Only two left.

J. R. Owen

JR is a great vocalist, guitarist, and bassist. We have played a few jobs together with the Grand Band and as a duo and or a trio. I attribute JR to getting me started playing with midi files. He gave me quite a few of his files when I first started performing as a single. I still use a few of them. A great guy. A great entertainer. Oh! I forgot! We had the pleasure of performing with Harry Connick at a function in Florida one weekend. Senior; that is. Harry Connick Jr's dad. He sings very well.

Visit J.R. at his site: jrowen.com

Tony Bowers

I met Tony when he was 17 and just starting to play guitar. He was hired to play with the original Tribute band. He became quite accomplished on guitar and as a vocalist throughout the years. He left tribute to start playing as a single with Karaoke and midi files, and to this day is one of the most booked singles in Mobile and the surrounding areas. I play on occasion with Tony as a duo, or trio or more; depending on the job.

Tribute (Featuring Thom Oglesby and Harolyn Bettis)

The only picture of this group is; at the moment lost. Harolyn is looking for it.

Ballard and Phillips

Bob Ballard

I got a call one day while working construction, and was asked to drive over to Jackson Mississippi to see if I was interested in playing every friday and saturday at Shuckers, an oyster house and club. The voice on the phone said he was referred to me by Harry Teaford of The Jubilation Band. He had played briefly with Harry when Joe was ill.

Well; I didn't have any night gigs booked so I went over there to meet Bob Ballard from New Orleans. I sat in and was hired. Bob is one of the greatest singers I have ever worked with. From jazz, to blues, to motown, to rythym and blues, to ballads. He sings similar to Barry White. My harmonies and sax, and my vocals with his harmonies made us a hit.

Bob plays piano and uses Midi files, with about a 600 song repertoire. He sang as a single and with duelling pianos up and down bourbon Street for years.

We played at Shuckers every Fri. and Sat. for a year and a half. I still had my day gig in construction.

Bob got a call from Jimmy Chehardy; a restaurant and club owner he worked for in New Orleans. He was opening a new restaurant called the Riverbend Restaurant and French Quarter Lounge. The only catch was, the club was in Evansville Ind. Soooo! We headed to Indiana and opened his club. I took a leave from my construction job and we headed to Evansville. They had agreed to pay all of our lodging and expences.

My wife wasn't happy but; as always supported me.

The pictures below are from a newspaper article done about the French Quarter Lounge:

We were the hit of the town. We played up there for one year before the city decided they wanted to build a minor league ballpark where the French Quarter stood. The city won (although they never built the ball park)and I headed back to my wife in Mobile.

Bob is still in Evansville, Indiana.

He has just opened his own club. It is called the Quarter Note, and is located in the Washington Square Shopping Center. Visit the site thequarternote.com

Stop by and tell him Daryl sent you. We talk often.

Visit Bob at his site:bob-ballard.com

The picture below was taken at the French Quarter in Evansville. The man on the right is Jimmy Elledge. He is known of course for "Ain't it Funny How Time slips Away". Bob had a cold and Jimmy moved from the restaurant into the lounge for 2 nights. Man he sings high. Plays excellent piano too!

"Jimmy had a serious stroke in 2002 and has not been able to sing or play. Our prayers are with him; in hopes of a full recovery.

I went to work as a single, after getting home. I Did fairly well; but needed a little more to supplement the old pocket. I felt I was getting to old to be physically doing construction, and started looking for a different day gig. A year later I found [GoodwillEasterseals of the Gulf Coast]. I am Maintenance Manager for them and just totally love the organization and the people that are in it; and also of course what they do to benefit the community and the people living here. I now have 2 jobs I love.

Daryl Phillips/Asaxmantoo

The picture below is recent, taken at a wedding in Mobile Al. My home town.

A Family Update

My Dad, Albert Lee Phillips passed away 12/26/1986. He was 86.

My Mom, Edna Frances Haggard-Phillips-Wilson passed away April 20, 2002. She was 95

My brother, Robert Eugene Phillips Passed away August 18th, 2005. He was 74.

My oldest sister Maxine, lost her husband Laurance Ashley Adams, December 15th,2005. He was 83

They are watching over us from above.

My oldest sister Maxine is in Colorado. Three children: Nancy Jo, David Frank, and Steven Joseph. Four grands and one great grand.

My second oldest sister Marge is in Florida with her husband Ed(the shoe repairman) 57 years together as of 2005. Three children: Dean Edward, Jeri Lynn, and John Lee. Nine grands and two great grands.

My brother Bob had 2 children: Robert Eugene Jr. and Ellen Marie. Six grands.

My third oldest sister Marilynn is an RV'er with her husband Dick. Six children: Denise Joy, Lynn Marie, Cathy Gay, Peggy Jo, Richard John, and Curtis Lee. Eleven grands and two great grands.

I live in Mobile Alabama with my wife Sandy. Our son Daniel Flynn married Brooke Heather on July 15th, 2006. They live in Denver.

This doesn't conclude my music biography, for I plan to play and perform as long as I can. I guess like the saying goes; "It's in my blood". I'll keep ya'll informed as I carry on.

Thanks for your time,

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