Phil Sparks is among the leading bassists in Seattle, having performed with nearly every top jazz group in the city. He records extensively with many of the Northwest's top names, and received a special mention as a star of the Seattle scene in the Feb. 94 issue of Down Beat.
In Seattle, Phil Sparks has been a member of groups led by Julian Priester, Ernestine Anderson, Wayne Horowitz, Floyd Standifer, Hadley Caliman, E.W. Wainwright, Jay Clayton, Jim Knapp, and Ricky Kelly. He has accompanied the following artists during Northwest engagements: Gene Harris, Roland Hanna, James Moody, Bobby Shew, Mose Allison, Art Lande, Joe Henderson, Javon Jackson, Teddy Edwards, and the Seattle Symphony.
While living in Colorado from 1976 to 1983, Sparks was a member of many groups, including "Visions," led by Jerry Granelli, "The Bruno Carr Ensemble," and the "Joe Bonner Trio." He also accompanied the following artists during Colorado engagements: Cedar Walton, Eddie Harris, Randy Weston, Jimmy Hopps, and Mose Allison.
Sparks has recorded with Jerry Granelli, Barry Wedgle, Rich Halley, Francis Vanek, Jay Clayton/Jim Knapp, Juhan Lee, Randy Halberstadt, Rick Mandyck, Jay Thomas, Woody Woodhouse, Clarence Acox, Floyd Standifer, Milo Petersen, Hans Fahling, Steve Griggs, Matt Jorgenson, The Plymouth Trio, Mark Lanegan, Akbar De Preist, and Peter Ross.
Reuben Radding
Jeff Johnson
Doug Miller
Vasilic Nenad
Jonas Tauber
Chuck Deardorf
John Shifflett
Mike Pope
Jeff Leonard
Dan Dean
Kelly Sill
Jeff Campbell
Bryan Doherty
Rodney Whitaker
Kevin Deitz
Tom Wakeling
Aaron Germain
Aaron Immanuel Wright
Clipper Anderson
Clark Sommers
Luke Bergman
Dave Captein
Marlene Rosenberg
Piet Verbist
Dennis Carroll
Chris Symer
Jon Hamar
David Friesen
Lorin Cohen
Glen Moore
Ark Ovrutski
Marcos Varela
Joonsam
Paul Gabrielson
Kenny Davis
Ben Feldman
Lincoln Goines
Hans Halt
Michael Bisio
Michael Glynn
Clay Schaub
Arthur Kell
Linda May Han Oh