Phil Urso

Jazz Saxophonist and Composer

Phil Urso was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and composer, known for his work in the cool jazz genre. Born on October 2, 1925, in Jersey City, New Jersey, he gained prominence in the 1950s and had a career that spanned several decades. Urso is perhaps best known for his collaborations with trumpeter Chet Baker; he contributed to some of Baker's most acclaimed recordings. Throughout his career, Urso played with a number of other notable jazz musicians, including Terry Gibbs, Bob Brookmeyer, and Carl Fontana. His style was characterized by a smooth tone and lyrical phrasing, which made him a quintessential figure in the cool jazz movement. Phil Urso continued to perform and record until his death on April 7, 2008.