San Francisco Bay Area keyboardist/Composer
Phil Klein
A native of the midwest, Phil was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois. After receiving a degree in music composition from Eastern Illinois University he relocated to Los Angeles and studied with film scoring pioneer, Earl Hagen.
A year later on a trip to San Francisco he fell in love with the Bay Area and resumed compositional studies in the master’s program at San Francisco State University. There, he began writing and arranging for the univerisity's big band and orchestra.
"In the Hour of Shadows and Whispers,” his debut album, followed, featuring top studio musicians working in the Bay Area. The album was released on "Positive Records” where it charted in the United States and enjoyed ariplay throughout Europe and Japan. The title track for Soprano saxophone, "In the Hour of Shadows and Whispers" had particular success in Italy.
Two years later the follow up album "Cruise Control" was released on Bobby Caldwell's Sin-Drome label. It has been a top performer on Pandora Radio with over 3 million streams.
Both recordings feature current members of Santana, The Doobie Brothers, Tower of Power, Huey Lewis and the News and The Yellow Jackets.
Phil’s music is also currently being used in two television series in Europe: “NCIS “ and “Damages.”
The Weather Channel has also played his music extensively earning him a top spot with BMI composers on US television with over 10,000 airings of his pieces.
Along with the jazz recordings there are three orchestral pieces, Avinu Malkeinu, Hatikvah, and Kol Nidre and Variations.
The last several recordings have featured Brazilian guitar virtuoso, Itaiguara Brandão including the soon to be released, “Alone in Space.”
Phil makes his home in the San Francisco Bay Area where he lives with his wife, Amy, and their Cockapoo, Gilli. Their son, Myles, a percussionist, attends college across the bay in Oakland, Ca.