a caldera productions
The imprint a caldera is an anagram of the initials of Brown's four children’s names. In Spanish, a caldera is a cauldron or kettle. This seemed to him like a fitting metaphor for his work, as the process of music composition or performance is not so different from the process of cookery—writing or playing an engaging tune versus preparing a tasty stew. While success is never assured, both set out to be shared and enjoyed.
November/December 2019; June/July 2024
To Be Released: 2025
Bradley Williams | Piano
Phil Brown | Bass
Tom Hipskind | Drums/Percussion
Dick Kelley | Reeds
Bob Allison | Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Isaac Lausell | Guitar
Jimmy Beers | Drums
Tom Edgar | Piano
Mel Goot | Voice
Michael Wallace | Percussion
Rule of Three finds Brown back in action with most of the usual suspects, performing 11 of his originals. It’s a veritable panoply of moods and modes—spirited, ambiguous. quirky, noble, inquisitive, tranquil, inventive, enigmatic, retro, bittersweet, trendy—all masterfully rendered for the discerning ear. Keep calm and mind the groove.
Released: October 2014
Bob Allison | Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Tim Pitchford | Trombone
Mel Goot | Piano
Phil Brown | Bass
Ron Coulter | Drums
"Musically deep, harmonically rich [even luscious in spots]. Great writing, arranging and playing."
— Don Seybold
Host, Inside Jazz, WBAA, Purdue University
Arkadia is another of Brown's undertakings with the New Arts Jazztet presenting an appetizing selection of 11 originals, 10 by Brown. Imaginative, yet faintly familiar (or perhaps curiously beguiling) jazz recipes in a sequence of flavorful courses, all expertly prepared by these chefs du jazz, and served up with thoughtful care. Expect the unexpected.
Released: November 2009
Bob Allison | Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Mel Goot | Piano
Phil Brown | Bass
Ron Coulter | Drums
Tom Hensold | Percussion
"Phil's music is as much fun to listen to as it is for the musicians to play. They obviously have a blast, and their warmth, groove and swing are highly contagious. Great feeling on both sides of the loudspeakers!"
— Jean-Michel Pilc
Bright Side once again features Brown with the New Arts Jazztet performing a program of 10 originals — 6 by Brown with contributions by each of 4 other NAJ members. The results are a kaleidoscope of fresh jazz sounds and friendly styles. It's all here — straightahead, Latin, mainstream, free, groove, funk... expressing a spectrum of different moods — intriguing, sultry, exuberant, evocative, insistent, meditative, witty, brooding...
Released: August 2006
Mel Goot | Keyboards/Percussion
Wayne Goodwin | Drums/Percussion
Steve Jacobson | Guitars
Phil Brown | Bass
Buddy Rogers | Reeds
Tom Hensold | Drums/Percussion
"The material is strong... I dig the bass sound and the playing."
— Delfeayo Marsalis
Darkness Into Light brings to mind a group of close friends who gather in good company. Conversation drifts from casual to serious, dark to light-hearted, upbeat to blue, serene to lively, and buttoned-down to funky. Like a proverbial fly on the wall, the listener will delight in eavesdropping on these unpretentious deliberations. Featuring FourOnSix, the New Arts Jazz Quartet, and guests, Buddy Rogers, reeds and Wayne Goodwin, drums.
Released: August 2003
Bradley Williams | Piano
Phil Brown | Bass
Tom Hipskind | Drums
"Beautiful. Outstanding music-making!"
— Bob Lark, Director of Jazz Studies, DePaul University
"What a great set of compositions and performances!""
— Jim and Laila O'Sullivan
Indiana State University
Hope Street Saunter is perhaps a celebration of spirit — the creative spirit that is expressed by four musicians, independently and collectively; the human spirit that is conveyed between the composer and the listener; the guiding spirit that is evident in the realization of this project; and of course, the Spirit that connects all things, and connects all things to the present. Spirited performances indeed!