QUINCY PHILLIPS is a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, minister, drummer, pianist, and organist at his home church, East Baltimore Deliverance, where he has been a part of the ministry for 45 years and has served in many capacities over the last 38 years. Coming from a family of musicians, preachers and educators, Phillips’ path was already set. Some of his early memories were seeing people experience the power of God as his mother, the late Pamela Holt, would use her anointed voice to minister. His father, John Phillips Jr “Johnny’: played bass and drums so, Phillips’ love for music was birthed from both sides of the family. At age 3, Phillips would pull all the pots and pans and create original songs for his mother and aunts. But when they were tired of the noise and would try to stop him, Phillips would run to his Grandmother, the late Evangelin Hooker, who would scream at them: “leave him alone”. Phillips would run to her many times in his life for wisdom, encouragement and love. Phillips also showed his interest in preaching by emulating some of the ministers he saw. He was so determined to preach that longtime friend of the family, Pastor Timothy L. Gains, had a mini pulpit made so that Phillips could preach his favorite scripture. They would encourage him and say: “Go’ on Quincy, Preach!!” Then, he would stand behind that little pulpit and say: ” .. .I am in the way, of the truth, and the light, No Ma’am cometh to the Father but by me.” Young Phillips as so serious that one would dare not tell him that he was not preaching for real. On some weekends, he would go with his grandmother, Apostle Christina Holtsclaw. On the way to her home, they would pass by a place that had little crosses and a structure that looked to Phillips like a small church. As they drove pass it, he would point and say, “I want to preach over there!” However, the only problem was that the place that he was pointing to was a cemetery. But, still and all, he was ready to preach.

As the years went on, Phillips would really get into music and started to study under Robert Anderson Jr. “Man’: the late Michael Boyd, Bishop House and his aunt, Reverend Dr. Carolyn Seawell (from whom he stole all her runs). Phillips spent many weekends at his grandmother’s house and sometimes his cousins would come over. Being in church all their lives, it was natural for them to play church. And, this is how the House of Prayer started, which was founded by Jason Woodford Sr. and Quincy Phillips. During their fictitious sermons, they would both preach, praise, pray, and talk to their pillow congregation. Although they were mimicking what they saw in church and on TV Evangelism, God was preparing them for ministry. After closing out service, the cousins would begin running through the house knocking over vases and breaking things. But on most Saturdays, the morning foolishness would be interrupted as Apostle Christiana Holtsclaw would gather them together and have them to read a chapter from Proverbs and then ask questions. At the time, Phillips thought this was torture because he did not like reading. But, he also knew that his Grandmother was not going to allow them to play until they spent time reading and discussing the word of God, so he obeyed. What Phillips did not realize was that God was laying a foundation of righteousness and holy living.

As a teen, Quincy attended the prestigious Frederick Douglass High School, which housed the Cab Calloway Music Careers Academy. He met amazing young musicians there and brilliant teachers that would impact his life forever. Some of those teachers were: Mr. David Burton, Ms. Chemlesky, Mr. Steve Carrington, and Ms. Carolyn Starks who took Phillips and others all throughout the city for performances. Around this time, Phillips also met Mr. Charles Funn who is now teaching at Dunbar High School. Mr. Funn, being a cat, exposed Phillips to more music and took him to many performances. One of the performances that changed Phillips’ life forever, was traveling to Washington, DC to hear the Howard University Jazz Ensemble. It was there that Phillips knew that he needed to attend Howard University.

After preparing an audition tape and sending it off to the late Ms. Nancy Wilkins, Phillips received an acceptance letter and the rest is history. During his time at Howard University, he was able to study with Professor Charles Covington, Professor Charlie Young, Dr. Thomas Flagg, Professor Connaitre Miller, Dr. Karen Walwyn, Dr. James Norris, the late Webster Lewis, and the late Grady Tate. In 2006, he graduated with a B.A. in Music from Howard University. In 2000, when Pastor Carolyn Seawell was installed as Pastor, Phillips began severing as the Minster of Music. In 2008, God open a wide door for Phillips, by allowing him to sit under the ministry of Apostle John Mulinde and Pastor Mark Daniels. Phillips saw first hand as God used the Partners for Transformation (a group of pastors and leaders) that came together for the transformation of Baltimore. Sitting with these servants of the Lord greatly impacted Phillips as they spent many days & nights in prayer, reading the word, praise & worship, fasting, sharing testimonies and just waiting upon God for direction for the city (and they saw victories). Hearing and seeing the ministry of Apostle Mulinde, Pastor Joyce Nantongo, Sis Harriet, the late Pastor Nicodemus Nuwasiima and the whole World Trumpet Mission team transformed Phillips life forever.

The Lord has been very gracious to Phillips in his music career. Phillips had the great honor to perform for the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama and First Lady, Michelle Obama during the “Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House:’ The evening included performances by the Christian McBride Big Band, Yolanda Adams, Leon Bridges, Andra Day, Anthony Hamilton, Demi Lovato, Sam Moore, and The Band Perry, with Rickey Minor as executive music director. Another notable accomplishment is winning 1st place in the Jazz Composition category for his arrangement of”Alone Together” at the IAJE conference in New York City. In 2017, he won his first Grammy Award for the project “Bringin’ It” as a member of the Christian McBride Big Band and won his second Grammy, most recently, in 2022 for his work on the Christian McBride Big Band project “For Jimmy, Wes, and Oliver:’ In addition to his awards and accolades, God opened the doors wide for Phillips to tour and travel the globe as a member of the late great Roy Hargrove Quintet and Big Band. Also, from 2018 – 2021, Phillips was a part of the esteemed Jazz Faculty at the Peabody Conservatory, under the direction of Sean Jones. He has also worked with many world-renowned musicians such as Stephanie Mills, Jeffery Osborn, Dominick Farinacci, Joey Defrancesco, Joey Alexander, and Christian McBride.

And lastly, as God would have it, Phillips was ordained Reverend on May 5, 2019 at the East Baltimore Deliverance Center, by Pastor Carolyn Seawell and Apostle Christina Holtsclaw. Phillips has also been receiving ministerial training under leadership of Bishop R.Q. Ray who provides clergy training to all three prepare for Servant Leadership.

His dream of preaching the word of God to the world finally came into fruition.