Dr. George Wolfe, Professor Emeritus of Music Performance at Ball State University, writes about Dr. Damani Phillips' newest album, No More Apologies:

Last week I had the pleasure of listening to a newly released compact disc by saxophonist Damani Phillips. Damani is among the brightest students to have passed through my saxophone studio at Ball State University. He is now a much deserved tenured faculty member at the University of Iowa where he is the Director of Jazz Studies. This CD, which also features William Menefield on keyboards, Brandon Meeks on upright and electric bass, and Cassius Goens on set percussion, is a testimony to Dr. Phillips’ talent and to the collaborative creativity of this quartet. An eight member string orchestra also adds to the unique sound of the CD’s seven beautifully scored arrangements.

Track one (“So in Love” by Cole Porter) begins with a tribute to Cannonball Adderly, whose style has deeply influenced Damani. While his saxophone playing can be aggressive and sassy, it is also delicately sensitive and refined on track 3 (“Corcovado” by Antonio Carlos Jobim) and on track 5 (“Midnight Sun” by L Hampton and Sonny Burke). Track 4, entitled “Hymn” by Braxton Cook, in memoriam to Trayvon Martin, uses an elaborate chord progression that fits an augmented version of the melody to the African-American spiritual “Sometimes I feel Like a Motherless Child.” And the final selection on the CD, listed as a Bonus Track, is a moving rendition of my favorite tune by John Coltrane, “Dear Lord.”

Damani Phillips is on Facebook, so to obtain a copy of this CD, simply send him a message. I know he will be more than happy to honor your request!