Phantom Road

"We live in a busy, post-authentic world where time is short."

–Brian Torff, bassist and leader of Phantom Road

Brian Torff has performed on the major stages of the world from the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall, to the Royal Albert Hall. His experience in jazz and popular music includes work with Frank Sinatra, Stephane Grappelli, and Mary Lou Williams. As a Professor of Music at Fairfield University, he enlisted two students, guitarist Jamie Debicella and drummer Jon Rivers, to form the group Phantom Road.

A Chicago native, Torff recalls the impact that the horn band-driven sound of the 1970s had on the inception of his project: “no one seemed to be doing it anymore; I longed for that sound.” A creative bridge between a tightly arranged horn section comprised of stellar New York City musicians, and a driving power trio rhythm section soon became Phantom Road’s signature sound.

“Music that won’t waste your time” is what Torff calls the music he writes. It is music that tells the truth in a direct and simple way. It is music that deals with contemporary issues happening in the everyday world around us. It produces an energetic lyrical sound, combined with a spirit reminiscent of a Fillmore rock jam. In a world of unknowns, this is music that urges us to consider the road less traveled: the Phantom Road.