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Simon Phillips
Legendary drummer & producer.
Contributed to (including 11 solo albums)
Career span
Worldwide reach
Across social media channels
Among iconic venues played
Notable collaborations
Jazz. Rock. Jazz-rock. Across more than five decades, legendary drummer Simon Phillips has shown an uncanny ability to excel in most any musical environment. Precision, intensity and emotion are hallmarks of Simon’s sound in every setting.
By his twenties, Simon had already worked with iconic figures including Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Pete Townshend, Al Di Meola, Jon Anderson, Jan Hammer, Stanley Clarke, Jon Lord, Mike Oldfield, Brian Eno and others. High-profile recordings and/or tours were soon to come with the likes of Mick Jagger, Asia, The Who, Gary Moore, Joe Satriani and many more.
But it was the untimely death of drummer Jeff Porcaro that led to Simon’s 21-year presence in Toto (1992-2014), highlighted by ten albums and numerous world tours. During this period Phillips also worked on various projects led by Steve Lukather, Michael Schenker, Derek Sherinian and others.
Simon’s own compositions and group concept began to gel with the Protocol II album in 2013. There have since been three more Protocol albums, culminating with Protocol V in 2022. The band now features longtime electric bassist Ernest Tibbs, veteran keyboardist Otmaro Ruiz (John McLaughlin), Jacob Scesney on saxophones and the brilliant young guitarist Alex Sill.
“Simon Phillips is some sort of human drum machine—someone who can play anything perfectly, with a human touch as well”
Modern Drummer
"I have seldom encountered a band in a live performance that can master such intricate musical complexity while maintaining a cohesive ebb and flow. Each member is attuned to the others’ musical emotions, allowing their expressions to spontaneously evolve in front of the audience."
LA Metal Magazine
"Simon's compositions are perfect vehicles for the ensemble... the playing is interactive and deep with feeling... Protocol V is a MUST for fusion lovers and beyond."
The Jazz Word
"Call it prog-rock or jazz-rock or fusion, just call it superb."
Bill Milkowski on Protocol V