A native of Iowa, Phillip Dunlap currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri where he is active as a musician and educator. He holds Bachelor of Music degrees in jazz performance (piano) and music theory/composition and a Masters of Music in jazz performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. While there he studied with renowned pianist and educator, Reginald Thomas.
Since 2007, Dunlap has filled the role of Director of Education and Community Engagement for Jazz St. Louis (JSL), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the thriving of jazz in America. In addition to helping JSL operate one of the top-ten jazz clubs in America (Jazz at the Bistro), Mr. Dunlap manages their extensive portfolio of education programs and outreach programs. In 2010, he was chosen as 30 under 30 by the St. Louis Business Journal.
Phil currently teaches courses in Music Business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and jazz history at the University of Missouri, St. Louis and has performed throughout the United States and abroad with his own group, the Phil Dunlap Quintet, and as a sideman having performed with musicians such as Jimmy Cobb, Terell Stafford, John Pizzarelli, Houston Person, Harold Jones, Sara Gazarek, Byron Stripling, Vincent Gardner, Kenny Rampton, Walter Blanding, Christine Brewer.