Phil Upchurch (1941-2025) - RIP

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Guitarist Phil Upchurch died November 23rd. He was 84.

Looking at his extensive discography, I'm surprised I saw him up on a stage playing Jazz several times, with the last time most likely being the only time I managed to see Jimmy Smith live. His obituary almost glosses over his Jazz credentials to focus on his hits with Michael Jackson.

https://variety.com/2025/music/news/phil-upchurch-dead-guitarist-composer-1236599436

[AndreyHenkin]

It depends on the profile of the outlet. Don Sebesky's obit at Broadwayworld.com didn't mention his jazz work at all. Most Richard Davis obits talked more about him playing with Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen than Andrew Hill.

[clifford_thornton]

Too bad about Upchurch. I didn't know Richard Davis played with Springsteen.

[HutchFan]

R.I.P.

 

[JSngry]

The guy could play (and play well) with literally almost anybody. RIP.

[felser]

RIP,  saw him with George Benson decades ago, and have a couple of those Cadet albums.

[mikeweil]

R.I.P. He had some serious jazz chops. I recommend this album:

https://www.discogs.com/release/7297593-Phil-Upchurch-Trio-Dolphin-Dance

[Dan Gould]

11 hours ago, mikeweil said:

R.I.P. He had some serious jazz chops. I recommend this album:

https://www.discogs.com/release/7297593-Phil-Upchurch-Trio-Dolphin-Dance

I have this - FREE to a good home in the continental US. Actual shipping elsewhere.   PM me if you want it.

[Chuck Nessa]

Used to encounter him in the Chess studios in the late '60s.

[Rooster_Ties]

25 minutes ago, Chuck Nessa said:

Used to encounter him in the Chess studios in the late '60s.

Any recollections?

[felser]

1 hour ago, Dan Gould said:

I have this - FREE to a good home in the continental US. Actual shipping elsewhere.   PM me if you want it.

I'd love to have it if CD.

[Eric]

2 hours ago, Dan Gould said:

I have this - FREE to a good home in the continental US. Actual shipping elsewhere.   PM me if you want it.

PM sent

Edit: I see this is a CD, first thought vinyl.  So to Felser!

Edited December 5, 2025 by Eric

[JSngry]

2 hours ago, Chuck Nessa said:

Used to encounter him in the Chess studios in the late '60s.

For this session, maybe?

 

[Chuck Nessa]

19 minutes ago, JSngry said:

For this session, maybe?

More like this -

 

[sgcim]

He was a major dude. He even had his own orchestra, the PHIL-Harmonic:

 

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I have to admit, until I read his obituary, I was unaware at the breadth of his playing. I thought he was a straight-up jazz guitarist. What an incredible discography: https://www.discogs.com/artist/268217-Phil-Upchurch?superFilter=Instruments+%26+Performance. He played with so many artists across genres from jazz to blues, from funk to rock, from R&B to gospel... even multiple Christmas albums... he was there.

[optatio]

16 hours ago, mikeweil said:

R.I.P. He had some serious jazz chops. I recommend this album:

https://www.discogs.com/release/7297593-Phil-Upchurch-Trio-Dolphin-Dance

... LP on my shelf - R.I.P. ...

[AndreyHenkin]

On 12/4/2025 at 10:35 AM, clifford_thornton said:

Too bad about Upchurch. I didn't know Richard Davis played with Springsteen.