Marty Phillips

Marty Phillips Quartet: Somewhere in Time

by Tom Pierce
September 29, 2007

The smooth, engaging medium-tempo opener ("It Could Happen to You ) of this impressive CD immediately prompts a string of questions. Just who is Marty Phillips? Why was I just hearing of him? Which of the legendary baritones, including Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hartman, Arthur Prysock, is he most reminiscent of?

Subsequent investigation reveals a 50-something singer/pianist with an extensive music career, who was born, raised and educated with a B.A. in music in the New York City area. A serious ...