The New Jersey Jazz Education Achievement Award
On an annual basis, the NJAJE Board of Directors is proud to nominate a New Jersey jazz educator who has demonstrated the highest standards of teaching excellence and dedication to the jazz education community. The award is presented annually in November at the State Jazz Conference and again at the final concert of the NJ All State Jazz Ensemble and NJ All State Jazz Choir at NJPAC. A commemorative plaque is presented to each recipient.
2020 Awardee: Mr. Earl Phillips
Earl Phillips is active as composer/arranger, educator, and bass trombonist in the greater Philadelphia area. As a composer/arranger, Earl directs and writes for the Earl Phillips Big Band and has led his own 17-piece big band since 2007. Mr. Phillips has also been commissioned by the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, led by artistic director Terell Stafford. Earl’s joined the Jazz Orchestra staff in 2014 and, most recently, was commissioned to write music for the group featuring, Philadelphia legend, Pat Martino, and his trio. Earl has also been commissioned to write for and work as a clinician with many local high school and collegiate programs.
As an educator, Earl directs the Cherokee High School Jazz Ensemble, Music Theory, and Music Technology departments, and is an adjunct faculty member of Rowan University. Earl has also directed the Philadelphia Grammy Band (2005-2007), the All South Jersey Jazz Ensemble (2008 &2012), the All Central Jersey Jazz Ensemble (2014) and he has been a clinician/manager with the New Jersey All State Jazz Ensemble (2009-2014).
Earl is a graduate, with honors, of the University of the Arts, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Bass Trombone Performance (’04), a Masters Degree in Music Education (’05) and a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance / Jazz Composition from Rowan University (’11). Among performances and recording sessions as the leader of the Earl Phillips Big Band, Earl, as a bass trombonist, has shared the stage with Wayne Newton, Patti Austin, Kurt Elling and has also recorded with, most notably, Kid Cudi, Will Smith, Boyz II Men, and John Legend, among others. The John Legend recording (So Amazing: A Tribute to Luther Vandross) won 2 Grammy Awards in 2005.
In his spare time, Earl is also working in the Thad Jones Living Archive at William Paterson University archiving the original manuscripts of his hero, Thad Jones. Earl’s research and individual study of Thad has also enabled him to be a contributor to the Thad Jones Living Archive. Earl is also a published author having articles printed in the ‘Jazz Education Journal’, and ‘Downbeat Magazine’, as well as a published composer/arranger through Northeastern Music Publications.
Earl Phillips resides in West Deptford, New Jersey with his beautiful wife Jennifer and their three children, Madeline and Zachary, and Luke.
As an educator, Earl directs the Cherokee High School Jazz Ensemble, Music Theory, and Music Technology departments, and is an adjunct faculty member of Rowan University. Earl has also directed the Philadelphia Grammy Band (2005-2007), the All South Jersey Jazz Ensemble (2008 &2012), the All Central Jersey Jazz Ensemble (2014) and he has been a clinician/manager with the New Jersey All State Jazz Ensemble (2009-2014).
Earl is a graduate, with honors, of the University of the Arts, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Bass Trombone Performance (’04), a Masters Degree in Music Education (’05) and a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance / Jazz Composition from Rowan University (’11). Among performances and recording sessions as the leader of the Earl Phillips Big Band, Earl, as a bass trombonist, has shared the stage with Wayne Newton, Patti Austin, Kurt Elling and has also recorded with, most notably, Kid Cudi, Will Smith, Boyz II Men, and John Legend, among others. The John Legend recording (So Amazing: A Tribute to Luther Vandross) won 2 Grammy Awards in 2005.
In his spare time, Earl is also working in the Thad Jones Living Archive at William Paterson University archiving the original manuscripts of his hero, Thad Jones. Earl’s research and individual study of Thad has also enabled him to be a contributor to the Thad Jones Living Archive. Earl is also a published author having articles printed in the ‘Jazz Education Journal’, and ‘Downbeat Magazine’, as well as a published composer/arranger through Northeastern Music Publications.
Earl Phillips resides in West Deptford, New Jersey with his beautiful wife Jennifer and their three children, Madeline and Zachary, and Luke.
Past Awardees
Don Braden
Anthony Branker
Clem De Rosa
David Demsey
Andrew DeNicola
Denis Di Blasio
Clem DeRosa
Dr. Diana Dohrmann
Bill Garton
Richard Graham
Dr. Jeffrey Kunkel
Jeffrey Haas
Brian Height
Jeffrey Lesser
David Thomas May
Joel Perry
Earl Phillips
Rufus Reid
Michael Russo
Julius Tolentino
Ray Wiggins
Wilbur Witteman
Anthony Branker
Clem De Rosa
David Demsey
Andrew DeNicola
Denis Di Blasio
Clem DeRosa
Dr. Diana Dohrmann
Bill Garton
Richard Graham
Dr. Jeffrey Kunkel
Jeffrey Haas
Brian Height
Jeffrey Lesser
David Thomas May
Joel Perry
Earl Phillips
Rufus Reid
Michael Russo
Julius Tolentino
Ray Wiggins
Wilbur Witteman