Phil Sims

Phil Sims is a graduate of the State Universif New York at Buffalo and has spent most of his life in Western New York where he has taught music at all levels and has performed with a wide variety of groups over the past forty years. Phil also toured extensively as lead trombonist and arranger for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and has written and arranged for, and conducted the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on several occasions in jazz and pops concerts. His big band, “The Buffalo Brass” has been recorded and received great critical acclaim. Over the past 30 years, Phil has performed with many jazz artists, including Mel Lewis, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Jack McDuff, and Mel Torme, to name a few, and has been a guest soloist with Doc Severinson and the BPO.

Phil has written for wind ensembles, orchestras, and a wide range of regional jazz artists, television, radio, film, advertisements, and shows. His transcription work of a series of Charlie Parker recordings (by the late Dean Benedetti) are published on the Mosaic record label. Phil has also done commission work for schools and colleges, including Kenmore East high school, the Fredonia Sate College Jazz Ensemble and the Georgia Tech Symphony Orchestra, to name a few.

Phil’s most recent writing credits include an evening of the music of the Grateful Dead performed by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra with tribute band, the John Stevens (American Idol Finalist) Christmas CD, An orchestral Latin Tribute show, and arrangements of Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw classics for nationally known saxophonist, Sal Andolina. Phil makes his home with his wife, Cindy in Hamburg, a southern suburb of Buffalo.