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 Competition is tough in the LA valley. The club scene takes no prisoners. Even if you’re a multi-talented multi-percussionist and drummer like Phil Leavitt, chances are slim you’ll make it out of there. But Phil managed to transcend the street level action when in 1990 he signed with Warner Chappell as a songwriter. It was a stroke of luck for the drummer/percussionist, who had trained with guru instructor Freddie Gruber, and who was well aware of his rhythmic ancestors: Ringo Starr, Buddy Rich, Stewart Copeland, Keith Moon, and Babatunde Olatunji.
Despite the songwriting day gig with Warner, the urge to perform live was strong for Phil and he began a fifteen-year association with Joie Calio and Michael Gurley of Dada, recording million-selling albums and releasing hit singles such as “Dizz Knee Land”.
In breaks with Dada, Phil has stayed at the top of the music scene, performing and recording with diverse acts including the Gin Blossoms, Jon Bon Jovi, Ritchie Sambora, Jane Weidlen, Lisa Loeb and Keith Urban. Phil even did a stint at the Luxor in Las Vegas with the much heralded percussion ensemble Blue Man Group.
Phil Leavitt represents a new breed of artist, conversant on drums and percussion, who uses LP instruments to transcend genres. Well aware of indigenous percussion traditions, and respectful of them, Phil is on the vanguard of a movement to establish new ones.
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