Bio

Phil is one of New Zealand’s leading jazz artists. Pianist, composer and educator, he became the first jazz musician to be awarded the MNZM for services to jazz in 2001. He is currently Head of Jazz Studies at the New Zealand School of Music, Massey University, Albany, Auckland.

In 2013 Phil’s quartet released Flaubert’s Dance on the Rattle label. Like its predecessor Delayed Reaction, it is currently a finalist in the Tui Awards for Best Jazz Album. “Despite his many achievements, Broadhurst is not content to rest on his laurels, which is perhaps the key to his continued growth as a musician. His music is a testament to the global language of jazz, which crosses international boundaries with enviable ease.” – Florence Wetzel, All About Jazz

In 2011 Phil released a new album dedicated to French pianist Michel Petrucciani, the subject of his Masters thesis. Featuring five of his compositions given new treatments by Phil’s quartet, Delayed Reaction also boasts five new pieces written by Phil and inspired one way or another by the French jazz legend. The well-known U.S jazz critic from Jazz Times, Thomas Conrad, had this to say on hearing an advanced copy: “Phil’s Delayed Reaction is the deepest, most sincere, most meaningful form of tribute that one musician can pay another. Petrucciani’s life-affirming spirit is unmistakably present here. But most of all what is here is Phil’s personal understanding of Petrucciani’s music and new directions derived from it”

In December 2011, it was announced that Delayed Reaction was a finalist in the Tui Jazz Album of the Year Awards.

January 2012 sees the release on Ode Records of a jazz/classical crossover release, Sketches”, featuring a composition by Phil for jazz quartet and chamber ensemble called Byways. Commissioned by the NZ School of Music, it features the saxophone of Colin Hemmingsen alongside works by Mike Nock and John Rae.

Since 2002 Phil has presented, or been a major soloist, in a concert each year at the Tauranga Jazz Festival. These include a set of pieces from his latest album in 2011; tributes to Chick Corea, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington; a celebration of Kiwi jazz composing; a jazz/classical crossover concert; the Jazz Divas. He has also performed at the inaugural Samoa Jazz and Blues festival &the Wellington International jazz festival with John Bell’s Immaculate Trio.

Phil has played regularly in Auckland, notably at premiere jazz venue, the London Bar, where he was resident for many years. Through the eighties and nineties he both organised and performed frequently at the annual Winter Jazz Series at the Auckland Art Gallery

Three times winner of the Jazz Record Of The Year award (Iris- Phil Broadhurst Trio; Live at the London Bar - Broadhurst/ Hopkins/Haines; Perfect Strangers -George Chisholm Quintet), he is also a well-known broadcaster, presenting his own programme The Art Of Jazz weekly on Concert FM, currently in its twenty-first year.

In 2003 Phil released a new CD The Road Ahead, featuring his trio and septet in live recordings, including a jazz suite commissioned by Massey University. Later, he appeared as sideman and composer on Colin Hemmingsen’s album The Rite of Swing.

He has frequently performed and taught at the Magnetic Island Jazz Festival, Queensland, Australia, and more recently played with his own group in Paris and London.

Other concert appearances include the Wellington International Jazz Festival with John Bell’s Immaculate Trio, the Tauranga Jazz festival with the Jazz Divas and Mojave, the Queenstown Jazz festival with Rodger Fox’s All-Stars, and the Nelson Jazz Festival with the Jazz Divas and Frank Gibson’s Rainbow Bridge.

His numerous credits include work in the U.S., U.K. and other foreign parts, and collaborations with many jazz greats visiting N.Z. He has played in concert with several saxophone greats including Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Scott, and Scott Hamilton.

Phil has recently earned a Masters Degree with Distinction for his work on the life and music of French pianist Michel Petrucciani.

Links

• Artist Website