Philippe Saisse

Growing up as a kid in France, there wasn’t a chance that Philippe Saisse would end up doing anything other than creating music. Quite simply, this child prodigy was a jazz drummer at the age of five, playing in his father’s jazz band. After winning a scholarship at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, he studied under the great vibraphonist and percussionist, Gary Burton. The rest is history as Philippe followed Burton’s lead as a vibraphonist and marimba instrumentalist, but also as a keyboardist. As a multi-instrumentalist, he caught the ear of Al DiMeola and was invited to play on DiMeola’s ‘Splendido Hotel’ recording. Saisse provided vocals, playing keyboards and Moog Bass, and even provided outstanding marimba solos throughout the project. During his career as an arranger, session keyboardist, composer and producer, he’s worked with Chaka Khan, the Rolling Stones, Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Brian Wilson, Bill Evans, and David Bowie. Recently, he has reconnected with drummer Simon Phillips and bassist Pino Palladino to form PSP. This jazz-fusion trio is truly an experimental collaboration that pushes the limits of improvisational composition. He has produced many solo projects over his career; his most recent being ‘At World’s Edge’, which led to the creation of PSP. Inside MusiCast welcomes Philippe Saisse.