Bassist/composer Phil Morrison learned to play the drums while serving with the U.S. Air Force in Japan but after discharge , the bass became his instrument of choice. In his hometown of Boston around the same time that Ornette Coleman was causing a stir nationally, saxophonist Sam Rivers was also spearheading a new musical direction. His group included pianist Hal Galper, drummer Tony Williams or Steve Ellington and bassist Phil Morrison. That period was very significant in Phil's development as a jazz bassist. Some years later, an innovative electric jazz group was put together by vibist Monty Stark featuring John Abercrombie on guitar, Vinnie Johnson on drums & Phil on bass. This group went on to record for Ahmad Jamal's record label(AJP Records) and did a TV soundtrack consisting of children's songs written by Hoagy Carmichael who also starred in the series. This cd "Now" by Stark Reality was re-released in 2003 by Stone's Throw Records. The show was called "Hoagy Carmichael's Music Shop" and was produced by Hoagy's son, Hoagy Jr. and WGBH-TV in Boston. Phil continued freelancing & worked with various major artists such as bluesman T-Bone Walker, vocalist Gloria Lynne and French Hornist John Clark. Phil subsequently joined the trio of pianist/singer Freddy Cole(youngest brother of Nat), with whom he worked for about 5 years. During that time, he frequently toured Brazil because of Freddy's popularity there and developed a strong appreciation for Brazilian music and culture. The Brazilian influence is reflected in many of Phil's original compositions. Phil also played with the great Dizzy Gillespie which was the inspiration behind his tribute to the legendary trumpeter, "Remembering Dizzy", recorded on the Sea Island Blues CD. "He Was The King", a tribute to Nat "King" Cole, was co-written with Freddy Cole and songs honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Dizzy Gillespie, Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela, Tony Williams and others can be found in Phil's songbook "Phil Morrison...Words & Music.. plus Other Stuff" (c)2000. Phil began writing lyrics while working with pianist/vocalist Ron Zack who shared his love for bebop, basketball and Brazilian music. Phil's interest in basketball was the inspiration behind writing a song for the basketball great...Michael Jordan, co-written with pianist, Keith Williams. Along with producer/pianist Lekan of Atlanta, Phil has been involved with musical projects that address social issues and uses his music in that regard whenever possible.