After studying classical piano, guitar and harmony, Belgium born Phil Abraham was seduced by jazz and took up the trombone, on which he is self-taught. His most recent album, Fredaines for the Lyrae label, reveals that he has added singing and whistling to his musical arsenal. His voice and his laid-back singing style are reminiscent of Chet Baker. In fact, his reticent trombone playing is similar to the Chet Baker relaxed trumpet technique. During his relatively short career, Abraham has played with a large variety of renowned musicians such as R&B tenor sax man, Hal Singer, fellow Belgian (and whistler) Toots Thielemans, Lew Tabackin, Art Farmer and Claudio Roditi. He was also one of the musicians who played on Michel Petrucciani's last European tour. Abraham has been on more than twenty albums, three with his own group. This group has also been the recipient of several awards including the best Young Band at the Brussels Jazz Rally, First Prize at the International Jazz Contest in Sorgues, France and the Best Belgian Group at the Tenth International Jazz Contest in Belgium. His Stapler album, with Michel Herr, Jean-Louis Rassinfosse and Stéphane Galland was picked CD-of-the-month by the Belgian jazz magazine Jazz In Time. One of the up and coming jazz musicians on the European jazz scene, Abraham augments his performing activities with teaching. He has conducted master-classes in vocal improvisation in Antwerp and teaches trombone at the Brussels Royal Conservatory. ~ Dave Nathan