PHILIP LASSITER
Rooted in Texas Funk, Alabama Gospel, New Orleans Jazz, and Nashville Soul, Philip Lassiter is an 11-time Grammy award winning horn/string arranger, and former section leader/arranger of Prince and the New Power Generation.
Currently based in Amsterdam., Philip has quickly garnered respect as the go to arranger and trumpet player for iconic artists such as:
Prince, Kirk Franklin, Ariana Grande, Timbaland, Roberta Flack, Jill Scott, Rodney Darkchild Jerkins, Hamilton w/ Barack Obama, Cece Winans, Kelly Rowland, Fantasia, Anderson Paak, Yelawolf, Queen Latifah, Al Jarreau, Fred Hammond, The Isley Brothers, Marsha Ambrosia, Ledisi, Johnny Lang, Donald Lawrence, Anthony Hamilton, Richard Smallwood, Karen Clarke, Dorinda Clarke Cole, Bebe Winans, Ricky Dillard, Anita Wilson, Natalie Grant, James Fortune, John P Kee, Anthony Brown, Myron Butler & Levi, Regina Belle, Cory Henry, My Morning Jacket, Lee Ann Womack, Big & Rich, and more.
Philip has performed on stages around the world such as the Essence Festival, Montreaux Jazz Fest, Jam Cruise 2020, United Center Chicago, North Sea Jazz Festival Curacao, Bonnaroo, Titan Stadium, The World Cafe in Philadelphia, Arsenio Hall, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon.
He was crowned winner of the 2000 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Solo Competition and is endorsed by Cannonball Instruments.
At age 6, he unwittingly met his first love – the piano – and began belting out Amazing Grace like no other kid in Mobile, Alabama. Being the son of a preacher – a man “who sweated every ounce until he was red in the face” – Philip learned how to captivate an audience and he’s taken that spirit on his own unique mission ever since.
A stint in St Louis brought the beauty of big band noise and an ear for improvisation. College in Florida harnessed his gift on the trumpet, provided inroads into Salsa and Merengue, and refined his natural ability as a Jazz Pianist.
Eight years in Dallas under the wing of some of the most talented musicians and producers in the world. Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Bernard Wright, Bobby Sparks, Snarky Puppy, Erykah Badu, and many others further expanded his notoriety in the gospel and funk industry.
Several more years in Nashville further diversified Lassiter’s musical portfolio. While there, he worked with the legendary producer Tommy Sims and performed in numerous awards shows such as the Dove Awards and The Stellars.
He spent 2 years in NYC cultivating his talents with some of the hottest cats in jazz such as Snarky Puppy and Cory Henry. Then the BIG call came. He was chosen to arrange and lead an 11 piece horn section for PRINCE & the NPG. They performed legendary shows at Montreaux Jazz, North Sea Jazz, Essence Festival, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Arsenio Hall and more.
After the passing of Prince, Philip decided to move to LA for 5 years where he further developed his original music, recording to albums with legendary musicians such as Juan Luis Guerra, David Paich, MonoNeon, Robert Sput Searight and many more.
During the 2020 pandemic he relocated his family to the Netherlands and hasn't looked back. He formed a 23 piece band to headline on the main stage at North Sea Jazz and has been performing all over the world. He is now working on his 8th album, and currently signed as a writer with BMG publishing.
Lassiter has been imbued with the soul of a musical saviour and the manic energy of a deliciously decadent devil. With the humor and lyrical flow of Slim Shady before the music biz ate him up, Phil could be the lovechild of Andre 3000 and Aretha Franklin, with James Brown laying down the blessing. It's a high energy live show that can't be missed.