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Phil Chen is a well-known Jamaican bassist that I called ‘Uncle Phil’ throughout my life. He was one of England’s most utilized session bassists during the 1970s and 1980s, including Jeff Beck, and the Rod Stewart band, but is probably best known for his later work with The Doors. He has played with high-profile musicians like Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Elton John, BB King, The Skatalites, Chuck Berry, and Bob Marley to name a few.
In honor of my Uncle Phil, in this episode, I’m giving you a taste of my Ja-merican patois as he always believed in staying true to the culture.
My uncle and mom used to jam with him in Jamaica and I have fond memories of hearing him play throughout my childhood. Uncle Phil passed away on December 14, 2021, after a long battle with cancer.
In 2018, I recorded this episode with him where he dazzled me with his banjo and schooled me on the history of Jamaican music.
The music world has lost an incredible guitarist and bassist and his family and friends will miss him dearly, including me.
It was heartwarming to peruse his Facebook page and see fellow artists showing their love and respect for Uncle Phil, who is known as Da Bass Man.
Uncle Phil was also a dedicated aikido practitioner who trained with Steven Seagal. As a fellow martial artist, he was always supportive of the Wah Lum family and came out to watch the screening of Pui Chan: Kung Fu Pioneer in Los Angeles in 2013.
That was the last time we were together in person. We ate oxtail and curry goat and reminisced about the days where he would visit Orlando and jam with my mom’s band.
In the 1980s through 2000s, my mom and her brothers sang in reggae in the top 40 bands called Version. They would play in local nightclubs or special events. They also held epic New Year’s Eve dances where the entire Caribbean community would celebrate together. The year Uncle Phil played bass with them was probably the best they ever sounded.
Uncle Phil was a driving force on bass and dedicated his entire life to music. The last time we communicated was by text for the holidays. He always made me smile because he even typed in patois.
I’d like to share this episode with a true legend in the music industry, DA Bass Man Phil Chen.
Articles
https://www.guitarworld.com/news/phil-chen-dies-aged-75
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