Phil Duff 4web2
Photo by Dr. Bob De Mattina
Phil Duff Bio
Phil has been a member of the Jazz Arts Foundation Youth Ensemble (JAFYE) for 3 years, starting his freshman year, playing alto saxophone. Phil will be a senior this year at Tates Creek High School in Lexington. In addition to JAFYE, he has been a member of the school’s marching band, symphonic band and jazz band all three years. He especially enjoys playing in small ensembles at school, at his church and with his twin brother, John who plays the trombone. Phil also played for a piece with the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra performing music from West Side Story. This summer Phil was privileged to be chosen to attend the Governor’s School for the Arts for his music.  G.S.A. is a 3-week intense emersion in the Arts at Transylvania for students chosen from all over the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
 
Phil would like to thank his public school music teachers Tanya Bromley, Kristi Howe, Janet Allen, Andy Critz, and Dee Bishop, all of whom have been excellent. Phil has studied privately for 5 years with John Richardson, whom he considers his mentor. Most recently he has studied for one year with Doug Drewek.
 
Phil is the son of Jeffrey and Janet Duff. He has two brothers, Stephen and John, and one sister, Julie. In addition to his love of music, Phil enjoys tennis, golf, running, hiking, camping and hanging out with his friends. Phil is a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church where he is an active member of the youth group. Phil has gone on several mission-work trips with the youth group including this past April at Red Bird Mission in eastern Kentucky and last April in Mississippi.  Phil participated in T.C.H.S. Invisible Children project this past year and managed to raise over $300 single-handedly by selling candy to his classmates after school.  Phil has also worked on two different Habitat for Humanity houses in Lexington. At this time, Phil’s plans for college are undecided.
Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camp Experience - by Phil Duff
Over the summer I was given the opportunity to attend the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp, which I attended in July at the University of Louisville.  The camp was a wonderful experience from which I learned new musical ideas, expanded my knowledge of jazz and jazz literature, and was exposed to great music and a plethora of talented musicians.  While I was in Louisville, I learned about improvising through combo practice, evening performances by the faculty, theory classes, and by getting feedback from professional jazz musicians!  The whole camp really was an incredible experience.
 
While gaining a deeper understanding about the concept of improvisation and jazz music, I was astonished at the rate at which I was learning.  Each night, as new musicians preformed at the faculty concerts, I could hear more and more things which my combo leader had taught us and I understood the music much more at the end of the week than I had at the beginning.  I knew that I was being immersed into the culture of jazz music and I couldn’t help but gain knowledge of so many new concepts and ideas each day.  I was fascinated at the professional artists that were on the faculty whom taught me.
 
One of my favorite parts of the camp was being around so many remarkably talented, professional musicians.  Passing musicians on the street while I walked to class or to dinner was quite fascinating to me.  It seemed awesome that, unlike in Hollywood where the musicians aren’t that talented anyway, these musicians were humble enough to walk on the same streets as I did and show personality.
 
Meeting James Moody and taking a master class from him was one of my favorite experiences at the camp.  He also preformed twice and astonished me both times.  I learned so much at the camp and was exposed to so many brilliant musicians and remarkable recordings.  It really was a great experience and has definitely made me more of a well rounded musician.  I am very thankful for the opportunity provided by the Jazz Arts Foundation and I am planning on attending the workshops next year as well.