Numinous

To speak with Joseph C. Phillips, Jr., and to hear his music, you would imagine an optimistic philosopher, or a student of ancient religious texts. While philosophy and ancient texts are of interest and influence, in truth, this new music composer is more a scholar of feeling than thinking – a conduit of emotional imagination, manifested through a set of composed music which is at the same time new as it is familiar.
Joe Phillips’ compositions may be classified as classical to some, jazz to others. But his ensemble Numinous – whose second recording Vipassana was released by innova recordings in April of this year – defies any classic genre definitions. Rather, the music moves fluidly between genres to create a sense of wonder, mystery, and beauty.
Inspired by Maria Schneider, Steve Reich, John Adams and many other key figures in new music, in addition to visual and film artists, scientific, philosophical and social thought Phillips says, “I try to take all of them in, and in my own way, create my own musical world. “
Phillips’ unique style has attracted plenty of attention so far. He was awarded a Meet the Composers grant and an American Music Center award. He was a member of the pretigious BMI Jazz Composers Workshop where he was a finalist for the BMI Foundation Charlie Parker Composition Award, and also a finalist for a Sundance Film Composers Lab Fellowship. In addition to the worldwide performances of his works, including the 2003 Steve Reich Festival at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, Netherlands, several new works have been commissioned by the St. Olaf Band and Jazz Band, the University of Maryland Symphonic Band, Take Dance Company, and violinist Ana Milosavljevic.
In addition to his composing, and work with his ensemble Numinous, Phillips also founded Pulse, a federation of six award-winning composers that defies easy categorization. Indeed, Phillips continues to define himself without any clear definition. That’s exactly how he likes it. Regardless of genre or the trappings of traditional classification, Phillips says, “I want to make connections with the audience.”
Quotes and Reviews of the Music of Joseph C. Phillips Jr.
“What lovely, graceful and heartfelt music Joe Phillips composes. He already has something very special that is uniquely his own. His textures are unique and his compositions unfold naturally and patiently. I got to know Joe many years ago when we worked together. Now, to see him putting together such a special ensemble of his own design, performing such expressive musical creations, well, it's just very exciting to witness. I might add that he's an absolutely beautiful conductor. I love to watch him. And, this is just the beginning. Joe will do many great things--I have no doubt.”
-Maria Schneider, Grammy award winning composer
"Joe Phillips is a composer for whom conventional musical boundaries have no meaning. His pieces draw freely from sources as diverse as jazz, classical, contemporary classical, funk, and the non-Western world. Then he uses his imagination to creatively blend all of these into his own musical kaleidoscope. The resulting music energizes, soothes, and most importantly challenges the listener. Highly recommended!"
-Jim McNeely, Grammy nominated composer and pianist
“Phillips' writing is brilliant, and the ensemble performs it with clarity and passion. Count me as a believer.”—Ted Gioia (jazz.com)
"And I just got a copy of a (still to be released) CD earlier this week that knocks my socks off . . . Vipassana. Imagine Steve Reich collaborating with Maria Schneider . . . If you get a chance to hear it, check it out."—Ted Gioia
“…this is certainly head music for the cerebral, but it’s a dandy listening date for people that really like their alternative stuff from left field. More of a spiritual descendant of [Steve Reich’s] “Music for 18 Musicians” than anything else, it has the appeal of that dense work but takes you to a different place. Wild and worth it.”—Midwest Record Review
“Musically, this quartet of stylish and provocative pieces stands somewhere between the style of Steve Reich and contemporary jazz… [a] blend that succeeds in being the sum of its parts and to illustrate his program, which is an unusual one: part symphonic, part spiritual exegesis… Vipassana is never less than likeable, is sincere in intent, and is greatly enjoyable to listen to; Joseph C. Phillips Jr. is a young composer to watch.”—All Music Guide
"...while there have been a couple of attempts at [blending] minimalism and jazz, they haven't really worked as convincingly as this album."—John Schaefer, WNYC's New Sounds
“In Phillips’ writing one can [also] sense the impact of Maria Schneider’s large-band innovations, her expansive tonal vocabulary most of all. And given that Pat Metheny is a fellow Steve Reich devotee, it’s fitting that Vipassana can call to mind the Pat Metheny Group in one of its darker, more abstract moods. But Phillips arrives at an imaginative gestalt of his own...”—David Adler, All About Jazz, New York
www.numinousmusic.blogspot.com