Phillip Manuel

“A local treasure,” says Eric Paulsen, anchor of WWL TV’s top rated morning show in New Orleans. “Phillip is in a class by himself,” this from Richard Bourcier of Jazz at a Glance. After a sold out performance at Yoshi’s in Oakland, California, The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “Manuel sang the wordless melody as if it were a prayer. His ethereal high tones suggested Bobby McFerrin, his sensuous low ones, Billy Eckstine.” From New York to Los Angeles; from Portugal to Paris, Phillip Manuel has graced the worlds’ stages with some of the biggest stars in jazz. His voice has been described as dramatic, warm and full of soul. One critic said his voice charms and seduces and his range sounds effortless. Phillip ManuelTo say that Phillip Manuel’s talents are diverse is to state the obvious. While his musical abilities are obvious, Phillip is also an accomplished actor, writer and sought after voice over talent. Musically, recent performances attest to his unique ability to cross genres without missing a beat His current CD, for example, finds him at his soulful R&B best, performing 12 original compositions—a marked departure from his other jazz recordings. A concert with the Mobile Symphony orchestra in January, 2009 featured Phillip singing American classics in a program entitled “Songs of the South.” A few months earlier he performed Duke Ellington’s Sacred Mass along with Charmaine Neville, of the iconic Neville family. Phillip wowed the audience at the New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2008, performing his Nat “King” Cole retrospective to rave reviews. In a further test of his talents, on a world tour with trumpeter and film composer, Terence Blanchard, Manuel sang the entire tour in Portuguese. The tour was in support of Blanchard’s Grammy nominated album, “The Heart Speaks,” featured the music of Brazilian songwriter, Ivan Linns. The following year, Phillip accompanied Blanchard on tour following his Sony release, an album of Negro Spirituals featuring classical vocalist Jubilant Sykes. In addition to his current CD, Phillip has an impressive body of work including his 2001 release, “Love Happened To Me,” for the MAXJAZZ label; “Swingin’ in the Holidays” Phillip’s Christmas release in 1999; The soundtrack for the movie, “Cane River,” filmed in Louisiana and as featured guest on compilations, and CDs with other artists.