Gerry Phillips

At age 47, Gerry Phillips is becoming an overnight sensation . . . and it’s only taken 38 years.



People are simply amazed at his jaw dropping ability to play virtually any song with only his hands. His performances are both astounding and, at times, hilarious.

Why does he play songs with his hands? Because he can!

Gerry has been called everything from a “hand musician”, “gunecologist”, “hand farter”, “hand flatulator”, and a “manualist”.

In 1969, when he was 9 years old, Gerry went to a party, and the photographer (to keep the kids quiet) made a single squeak with his hands. Within minutes Gerry went back to him and showed him that he could also do it.

Gerry continued to practice at home. Soon he could produce musical notes, then simple songs. After more practice, Gerry could “hand fart” songs with his new and unique technique better than with the musical instruments he was learning to play. So he dumped the 4 musical instruments.

In the high school talent show, Gerry played Beethoven’s 5th, the Can Can, and the Blue Waltz to a raucous standing ovation.

The following year he played Black Magic Woman and You Make Me Fee Like Dancing. In his last year it was Sir Duke.

When Gerry was 16 he was taken to a bar in Dearborn, Michigan where Bobby Lewis was playing. Gerry was asked to perform, and he was an immediate hit with the crowd. No one had seen or heard anything like it before.

Soon Gerry was sitting in with top local acts such as the Teen Angels who refer to Gerry as the 8th Wonder of the World!

Once Gerry began posting his videos on You Tube, he became an overnight sensation. Soon the emails started pouring in with requests for more videos and DVD’s. Not just from America, but the entire world. With commercials and television requests coming in, Gerry is now getting the recognition this unique and gifted artist deserves.

People recognize Gerry for the serious musician he is. Sure it’s hysterical, but his talent is even more amazing than it is funny.

Threadmills

Funny choregraphy from Threadmills...

Michel Petrucciani, In Memoriam

Michel Petrucciani (December 28, 1962, Orange, France – January 6, 1999, New York City, USA), was a French Jazz pianist.



Michel Petrucciani came from an Italo-French family of a musical background. His father "Tony" played guitar and his brother Louis played bass. Michel was born with osteogenesis imperfecta which is a genetic disease that causes brittle bones and in his case short stature. It is also often linked to pulmonary ailments. In his early career his father and brother occasionally carried him, literally, because he could not walk far on his own unaided. In certain respects though he considered it an advantage as it got rid of distractions, like sports, that other boys tended to become involved in.



At an early age he became enthusiastic about the works of Duke Ellington and wished to become a pianist like him. Although he trained for years as a classical pianist, jazz remained his interest. He had his first professional concert at 13. At this point in his life he was still quite fragile so had to be carried to and from the piano. In general his size meant that he required aids to reach the piano's pedals, but his hands were average in length. By age 18 he helped form a successful trio. He moved to the US in 1982. In the US he is credited with leading Charles Lloyd to resume playing actively and in 1986 he recorded a live album with Wayne Shorter and Jim Hall. He also played with diverse figures in the US jazz scene including Dizzy Gillespie.

In 1994 he was granted a Légion d'honneur in Paris.

His own style was initially influenced by Bill Evans although some compare him to Keith Jarrett. He is often deemed to be among the best jazz pianists to ever come from France.

On the personal side he had three significant relationships. His first marriage to Italian pianist Gilda Buttà ended in divorce. He also fathered two children, one being a son named Alexandre. One of these children inherited his condition. He also had a stepson named Rachid Roperch.

Michel Petrucciani died at 36 from a pulmonary infection. He was interred in Le Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.



God rest his soul!

Greg Pattillo

Greg Pattillo (b. 1977, Seattle, Washington) is a beatboxing flautist originally from Seattle, but now operates in Brooklyn, New York.



Patillo is recognized throughout the world for his redefinition of the flute sound. He was lauded by the New York Times as "the best person in the world at what he does." His performance videos on YouTube, showcasing "beatbox flute," have been viewed more than 12 million times.

Patillo earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music as a student of Joshua Smith, the principal flautist of the Cleveland Orchestra. After a summer spent as the acting principal flute of Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Patillo moved to San Francisco where he was a founding member of the Collaborative Arts Insurgency and the 16th and Mission Thursday night gathering for performers. It was there that "beatbox flute" materialized in its present state..

Patillo enjoys freelancing as a soloist, and is the flautist of the group PROJECT, the Lalo Quintet, as well as a featured performer at The Box in New York City.

In June 2007 Pattillo was named one of 21 winners of the Metropolitan Transit Authority's "Music Under New York" program. Among other things the award gives Pattillo an official permit, of sorts, to play music in the subway.



Pattillo was also seen on an episode of Nickelodeon's TV series, iCarly.

Bravo Pattillo!