Phillip Manuel If you ask him, Phillip Manuel will tell you that he started singing “when I started talking.” He’ll also tell you that his father was the best singer he’s ever heard. After that his influences consist of a diverse group including Andy Williams, Donny Hathaway and Judy Garland to Jussi Bjorling and the great Ella Fitzgerald. Phillip Manuel’s career began at age eleven. “That was the first time I got paid to sing--$50.00,” he said. And he hasn’t looked back. His voice, which the Boston Globe described as “…one with great range and power,” has been heard on stages from Trinidad to Istanbul, Paris to San Sebastian. Two tours with Trumpeter and film composer, Terence Blanchard garnered rave reviews. The Los Angeles times wrote, “He delivered a high-level dynamic charge. It was exhilarating, spontaneous, straight ahead jazz.” After a performance at Yoshi’s in Oakland, California The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “He sang the wordless melody as if it were a prayer. His ethereal high tones reminded one of Bobby McFerrin; his sensual low ones, of Billy Eckstine.” The in-demand vocalist has recorded and performed with a who’s who of talent including Patti Labelle, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Phyllis Hyman, Jon Faddis, Nicholas Payton, Jon Hendricks and many more. Phillip’s body of work includes a soundtrack for a motion picture and five other discs including his critically acclaimed “Love Happened To Me,” for the MAXJAZZ label. His voice, both singing and speaking, can be heard on countless local and national commercials. Phillip is an accomplished songwriter, having penned “Honeycomb Blues” for the USA made for TV movie, Color of Courage, starring Lyn Whitfield and Linda Hamilton. He wrote much of the material on his last disc. The versatile performer has also been recognized for his work as an actor. He was nominated for a “Big Easy” Award as “Best Actor” for an amazing performance in Williams and Walker, a musical drama about the life of vaudevillian, Bert Williams. He also starred in the bebop opera, Lulu, featuring the libretto of McArthur Award Winner, Lee Breuer and the music of Jon Faddis. Prodded by his wife, Phillip created a Nat Cole Retrospective, featuring 17 of Nat’s biggest hits. He performed it for the first time at LeChat Noir Cabaret in New Orleans to sold out crowds and rave reviews, and he performs the show each year to a sold out auditorium on LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge. Recently, Manuel had the show arranged for full orchestra and is promoting the package for “Pops” concerts around the country. Phillip performs regularly with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. He has also been featured with the Tulsa Oklahoma Philharmonic and the Lexington Kentucky Philharmonic. Phillip released his first Contemporary R&B disc, titled “PM” in August, 2007. www.phillipmanuel.net For info call: (504) 214-0425