Phil Traynor

In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail. Being called onstage at age 10 to drum with the Al Lonepine Band, just on spec, they had never heard me play. I had learned both sides of their new single. They were amazed to discover I'd learned it note for note. I'll never forget the feeling. What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular? Chuck Mangione, An Evening of Magic: Live at the Hollywood Bowl (with The Chuck Mangione Quartet) Jeff Lorber Fusion, Wizard Island Sting, Ten Summoner's Tales Ten Summoner's Tales is lightning in a bottle, the intersection of technical perfection, artistic wizardry, and pure writing strength. The other two albums are perhaps the single biggest influences on my own writing and arranging style. 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. “Alone” This song was written by my late best friend, Mike Leonard, who died in 1999. Like me, he was heavily inspired by Chuck Mangione. I got to record this song with Mangione's reed player, the late Chris Vadala, on the 10th anniversary of Mike's death. What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far? I played rhythm guitar in Eddie Money's band at his 2012 tour stop where I live. Quite by accident, I was the accompanist for the opening act, Shelly Starks, but when Eddie's road manager heard me jamming along to their rehearsal, he drafted me! Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist or band? I would love to have my songs covered by established jazz artists - hearing a spin I'd never even imagined would be a great thrill. I've enjoyed a series of great, if brief, cameos with big artists, and doing more of that would be incredible too.