Phil Circle
Band Story
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Phil Circle is not your ordinary songster picking away quietly on his acoustic guitar in the same old folksy idiom as so many others of this genre. Phil manages to blend elements of jazz, blues, alternative, and even classical, to seamlessly create a style truly his own. Add to this his energetic live performance, and he lands far away from what most people think of when you say "Singer/Songwriter." Phil Circle started his music career over a decade ago in the Chicago area, after returning from 3 years performing in New Mexico and the Southwest. He holds a degree in Music Composition from Columbia College, where he was mentored by the likes of Jazz Great William Russo, Blues Icon Corky Siegel, and Classical Guitar Virtuoso Norman Ruiz. After spending several years writing, performing, producing, booking, and managing the rock band Guilty with high success, Phil went solo for awhile. Phil Circle then began working with the World Famous Blues Fiddler, Ruby Harris, in 2003. Ruby Harris has performed in such places as Carnegie Hall, The White House, United Center, The Metropolitan Opera House, and for the Crown Prince Of Saudi Arabia. In 2003, Phil Circle and Ruby Harris released the live acoustic album "Live at the Gateway." Then Phil joined forces with Jack Salamander Front Man Lem Roby, and Songwriter/Multi-instrumentalist Mark Lester (of Labrador Dali) to form his current band line-up, with regular appearances made by Ruby Harris and other top local talents. With a total now of eight releases (three of which have become collectors' items), and new work always being created; an extensive history of touring and playing live; a repertoire of folk, rock, blues, jazz, and well-loved cover songs; Phil Circle has an ever expanding career. From performing for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, to his music being played on radio stations as far away as Belgium, Argentina and Japan, Phil brings us down a road of constant growth with his songwriting, guitar and vocal talents. He's appeared on Fox Radio, NBC, in major print media, at venues such as Double Door, Schuba's and Martyrs in Chicago and CBGB in NYC, and has yet to receive a negative review. Currently, Phil Circle spends time teaching private students in voice and guitar, tours regularly, is working on his next release (to be included with all his previous ones on a USB Key for sale at shows), and is scheduled to play live performances throughout the Chicago area and the U.S. Phil also plays guitar as a session player and producer, and took up acting in 2006, through classes at The Chicago Actors Studio. He's held Lead Roles in three recent stage plays, all of which received critical acclaim, and the third of which Phil received a CAS Best Actor Nomination for. Listen for new material and keep an eye on the vast performance schedule of Chicago Icon Phil Circle..."One of our town's most unique voices," as The Illinois Entertainer's Mike O'Cull put it.