Phil Richardson grew up in Mill Valley, California in a musical family, listening to a broad range of music, including classical, jazz, country, bluegrass, flamenco, folk and 60’s rock and roll. At four, he started playing folk guitar, and had his first paying gig at age 12.
As a young teenager, Phil played rock guitar in local bands, and began learning the 5-string banjo. At 16, he began studying viola, and at 20 received a scholarship to the Paris Conservatory.
After a year, he realized he was not suited for life as an orchestral musician, and returned to the Bay Area, performing, touring and recording on electric violin with local harmonica whiz Norton Buffalo.
When the Buffalo Stampede disbanded, Phil began studying jazz and classical guitar, and played solo guitar at the Olema Inn for more than 20 years, continuing to study guitar with Davis Ramey and Tuck Andress (of Tuck and Patti fame).
Currently, Phil divides his time between playing in local bands Hot House, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Danny Montana and the Bar Association and freelancing on solo guitar.
Phil also teaches music privately and at the Greenwood School in Mill Valley.