Phil Sargent has worked with a number of prominent musicians including Jerry Bergonzi, John Lockwood, Bruno Raberg, Bob Moses, Matt Wilson, Phil Grenadier, Yosuke Inoue, Thomson Kneeland and others. He studied at the University of New Hampshire and with critically acclaimed guitarists Ben Monder, and Brad Shepik. Phil leads his own group whose compositions draw from a variety of influences, most prominently the odd meters and eastern tonalities of ethnic Balkan music and modern jazz improvisation. Phil released his first recording (For Carl) in 2002. In addition to writing for his own group he composes and has released recordings with the genre bending groups Iskar and The Industrious Noise Trio. Phil also performs nationally as a sideman in the Sonic Explorers, Bruno Raberg Nonet, Rick DiMuzio Quintet, Brooke Sofferman Perspective, and a variety of other ensembles ranging from straight ahead jazz to the avant-garde.
After studying Jazz Performance and Composition at the University of New Hampshire Phil has since enjoyed a full roster of private students in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts. In addition, Phil has been an active clinician, teaching improvisation and performance master classes at various colleges and high schools throughout New England.