* En anglais uniquement
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. ~ Ron Wynn