Phat Man Dee

In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail. My earliest memories of music are two fold, one is the music and prayers I learned to sing in Agudah Achim Synagogue, and the second is when I bought my first cassette tape in the K Mart Music section and it was Louis Armstrong's greatest hits. What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular? Eddie Jefferson, The Jazz Singer - Eddie Jefferson Kurt Elling, SuperBlue (feat. Charlie Hunter) Richie Cole, Hollywood Madness The voice is the original instrument, the original way we connect to one another and the sacred divine. Eddie Jefferson invented the art of singing lyrics over improv lines of jazz players, Richie celebrated him, and Kurt is keeping the dream alive! Find a song of yours on Apple Music that you love and tell us what makes it special. Tell us why you chose this song. “Virgil and Kae” This is my love song to two jazz fans who aren't here anymore, because fans are important. So this is for all the people I get to sing for. The music by Reggie Watkins is his tribute to Richie Cole who lived with us in Pittsburgh in his final years. What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far? My most memorable moment would be hard to define, but I would say getting to record with the great Roger Humphries, who recorded with Horace Silver in the 1960's. I am so grateful for his presence on my album along with so many of my mentors. Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist or band? I have a big bucket list. I want to bring my band on a cross country tour, connect with the friends & fans I made back when I travelled with the circus & the new ones I made online over pandemic. I just want to sing to my people where they live.