Herbert Daly Phillips

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Herbert Daly Phillips (Herb or Herbie) (April 20, 1935, Nebraska - September 13, 1995, Las Vegas) was an American jazz trumpeter, big band composer, and arranger. He was especially well-known in the Las Vegas music community. He had played trumpet in several renown big bands, including those of Louie Bellson, Buddy Morrow, and Billy May, but his recorded compositions, particularly Little Train, recorded several times by The Buddy Rich Big Band, are what made him famous.

His mother, Evelyn Phillips (nee Daly), a graduate of the University of Nebraska and a kindergarten teacher at the Prescott School, died October 23, 1949, in Lincoln, NE, when he was 14.^[1] She had played a major role in introducing Herbie to the arts. Distraught over the loss and as a teenager, Herbie did not did get along well with his father, Guy W. Phillips, especically when he remarried. Herbie moved in with his his maternal aunt and uncle. His father, a salesman for the George F. Burt Company, died in Lincoln, Nebraska, when he was 19.

Contents 1 Territory bands and sleeper buses (1953-54) 2 New York City (1955-1960) 3 Early Las Vegas (1960-1970) 4 Las Vegas Hilton (1970-1983) 5 Post-Hilton (1983-1995) 6 Kicks Bands 7 Family and Friends 8 Discography 8.1 Recorded and released during his lifetime 8.2 Recorded during his lifetime, released posthumously 8.3 Recorded and released posthumously 9 Compositions/arrangements 10 Works filed for copyright 11 Affiliations 12 References 13 External links

[edit] Territory bands and sleeper buses (1953-54)

Herbie graduated from Fremont High School in Nebraska in 1953. And, he had attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln the summer of 1954. After high school, he played trumpet in several territory bands that were booked out of Omaha by the National Orchestra Service, namely the Dick Mango Orchestra and the Verne Byers Orchestra. His high school band director, Walter R. Olsen, had a son Bob (born 1929), who had played trumpet with Dick Mango. During his tour with his second group, the Verne Byers Orchestra, he met band-member Patrick Noel Thompson (born April 12, 1929, New Zealand), a trombonist, with whom he became close, life-long friends. While touring with Verne Byers, Herbie arranged a few songs, including Pennies From Heaven.

[edit] New York City (1955-1960)

In 1955, Herbie and Pat Thompson moved to New York City, sharing an apartment at 61 West 83rd Street. At that time, Bill Evans lived in the basement apartment. While waiting to get his union card, a six-month period, he subbed in bands, including those led by Les Elgart, Woody Herman, Dan Terry, Leon Merian, and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. Herbie served as best man in 1959 for Pat Thompson's wedding at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in New York (despite having a gig immediately after the ceremony).

[edit] Early Las Vegas (1960-1970)

Around 1960-61, Herbie and his wife Carol moved to Las Vegas, joining Pat Thompson. Herbie spent the rest of his life in Las Vegas. Herbie played in several show bands and eventually landed a long lasting gig in the house band at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

[edit] Las Vegas Hilton (1970-1983)

Herbie played in the Las Vegas Hilton house band from 1970 to about 1983. Even though his colleagues often saw him writing arrangements during show-band breaks, as can be seen in the documentary film of Elvis's first appearance at the Las Vegas Hilton, he generally refused all writing gigs while he was working at the Hilton. Herbie, in those days, focused on just getting through the house band gig.

With a new act typically every two weeks, Herbie couldn't bring himself to think in a creative way. But, he was always listening and had a formidable record collection. Musicians were always hanging out at his place to listen and talk. He wasn't interested in taking the time it took to write. He even turned down writing and arranging for several singers, despite the lure of money. If he did pen some big band charts for his own pleasure, he didn't tell many people, nor did he put a rehearsal together to hear them.^[2]

Herb became close friends with fellow musician James Moody during his seven-year tenure at the Hilton that began in 1973. Also, while working at the Hilton, Herbie played a stint with the David Rose Orchestra.

[edit] Post-Hilton (1983-1995)

Several factors compelled him to ultimately leave the Las Vegas Hilton:

• The Hilton management changed the showroom format by bringing in a production show; the type of show that, if it were a hit, would require a musician to play the same music for years. Herbie didn't want that.^[3]
• Around 1975, Herbie injured his lip, which developed into a lump that wouldn't heal. He took lessons to rebuild his embouchure, but, worried that if he continued to play, he would permanently damage his lip.
• Many people felt that 1983 was when the music industry fell apart in Las Vegas. The big band era was at a low, and major casinos were switching from live bands to taped music, which resulted in a major musicians strike in 1989.^[4]

Having saved some money, he was in a position leave his job at the Hilton. Some consider his injury fortuitous because it led to writing for his own rehearsal band. Though there are a number of tapes floating around, Herbie's band was never professionally recorded.^[5]

His charts were timeless and so much fun to play. Everyone who knew Herbie loved him. He was an instant friend to everyone and always made you feel as if you knew him forever. Absorbic wit, incredible jazz soloist and could make you laugh with just a look.^[6]

Herb worked, both as trumpeter and conductor for Frank Sinatra and Frank Sinatra, Jr.

[edit] Kicks Bands

Up until the late 1980s, the Las Vegas Musician's Union has it's own rehearsal hall that its members used for rehearsal bands, known as "kicks" bands. Herbie directed one such band.

[edit] Family and Friends

He was once married to (and divorced from) Carol Phillips,^[7] but spent his final 20 years with his girlfriend, Barbara Camp Russo, who still lives in Las Vegas. Without realizing it going into the relationship, Barbara discovered that she had known Carol from their earlier days as chorus line dancers in Las Vegas. Distribution under Herbie's Estate went to Barbara.^[8]

Carl Saunders, trumpeter, band leader, composer, and arranger, became one of Herb's best friends. Having met when Carl was in high school, Herb became a mentor to Carl. Through publishing, marketing, recording, and performing, Carl is faithfully active in circulating Herbie's music. Moreover, Carl released a well-acclaimed album, Be Bop Big Band, which not only is dedicated to Herbie, but also features several of his compositions (see "Discography" below).

Herbie died September 13, 1995, from complications of an aneurysm that struck while conducting a jazz band rehearsal at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Compositions/arrangements

[edit] Works filed for copyright

• The Herb Phillips Songbook, © July 23, 1990

[edit] Affiliations

Herb was a member of the American Federation of Musicians:

• 1955-1960 — New York City, Local 802
• 1961-1995 — Las Vegas, Local 369

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• 2002 — CD, Be Bop Big Band , Carl Saunders, director/trumpet, (album dedicated to Herbie Phillips), Sea Breeze Records
• Musicians Union of Las Vegas, Local 369, AFM