As a versatile artist whose styles encompass a wide range of musical genres, Philip Fortenberry is a performer with an equally expansive career.  A native of Columbia, Mississippi, Philip began playing the piano at the age of four and by seven was the accompanist for his church.  Philip performed his first solo concert when he was twelve while continuing his work as a church pianist and organist throughout high school and college until he left the south and moved to New York City.  

Philip continued his piano studies as a private student of Myoko Lotto at The Juilliard School.  He holds a Master of Music degree in classical piano performance from New Jersey City University and was an adjunct faculty member in the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University.  Philip was a 2004 recipient of a Distinguished Service Award from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  

 Early in his career in New York, Philip became the musical director and on-stage pianist for the long-running off-Broadway satirical revue, Forbidden Broadway.  He was also the musical supervisor for the West End version of the show in London.  Philip has also played for many Broadway productions and national tours including such shows as Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday Night Fever, Ragtime, Seussical--The Musical, Sideshow, and The Lion King. 

Philip toured the U.S. and Canada in concert performances of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, starring Michael Crawford, and he has been a frequent guest with Lincoln Center’s “Meet the Artists” series.  In the autumn of 2001, Philip was the pianist for Harry Connick, Jr. and Susan Stroman’s Broadway production of Thou Shalt Not.  In October of 2002, along with actress Brenda Currin and director David Kaplan, Philip created and performed a fantasia based on Beethoven’s Emperor piano concerto for a new work entitled June Recital, based on the works of acclaimed author, Eudora Welty.  

He was the pianist for the Roundabout Theater’s Broadway revue of the music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, The Look of Love.  Philip was the associate music director for Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman’s pre-Broadway workshop production, Harmony.  Philip made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1986 as the pianist/conductor for Eartha Kitt, and he returned to Carnegie hall in 2001 with The Three Irish Tenors for their Christmas concert.  He has also performed as pianist for Charlotte Church at Avery Fisher Hall at New York City’s Lincoln Center.

In 1990, Philip accompanied internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Frederica Von Stade at the Oregon Bach Festival.  They were invited to perform at the White House for the summit conference between Mikhail Gorbachev and George Bush.  Later that year, by invitation of President Bush, ‘Flicka’ and Philip performed at the Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations.

Philip performed at the 40th Annivesary Celebration of the United Nations. In 1996, he was privileged to accompany singer Laurie Beechman at the 70th birthday gala for Lady Margaret Thatcher in Washington D.C.

Currently a resident of Las Vegas, Philip was the associate conductor for Hairspray at the Luxor Theater, as well as the North American premiere of the rock musical extravaganza, We Will Rock You at the Paris, Las Vegas. He has played and conducted Mamma Mia! at the Mandalay Bay, and he is currently the associate conductor for the Las Vegas production of the hit musical, Jersey Boys at the Palazzo.

Philip is the featured Artist-in-Residence at the Liberace Museum’s Cabaret Showroom in Las Vegas, where he regularly performs his critically acclaimed one-man show, Liberace and Me.

Philip has recorded nine solo albums: “Fifth Sunday,” “Farther Along,” and “Faith” are collections of inspirational and sacred songs; two seasonal offerings are entitled “Home for the Holidays” and “Christmas Matters.” “The Woods” is a series of improvisational reflections inspired by his home in south Mississippi. “Portraits in Music” plays tribute to the essence and aspects of significant individuals in Philip’s life, and “First Light” is inspired by daybreak in the Valley of Fire in the desert north of Las Vegas. His most recently released CD is entitled “Broadway My Way” and is a collection celebrating the music from the Great White Way.

A number of his selected sacred recordings have been developed as worship tools in a DVD format for Lifeway Christian Resources as part of a series entitled “Transitions.” Philip is also a featured recording artist on the Watchfire Music label.