latest news

October 22, 2011

I've freshened up the website... FINALLY! I hope you'll find it easier to move around and find the information you're looking for.

my other activities

Hammond & Leslie Service

I do all of my own mechanical repairs and refinshing but I save the electronic work for a pair of technician brothers who have become well known for their excellent work in Canada. I am happy to do your Hammond/Leslie repair work or refer it to my technicians as is appropriate.

Wanna Play?

If you're looking for an occasional Hammond sit-in for your band, I'm pretty good at flyin' by the seat of my pants. I know a lot of the old R&B standards, plus what I don't know I can usually pick up on the fly, so give me a shout & lets have some fun! ~ Phil

Phil Manning and EMVKEYS

example graphicPhil Manning has been working as a professional entertainer since 1977, singing, playing Hammond organ and piano. From 1989 to 2002 he operated his own commercial recording facility where he produced, arranged and recorded many album and demo projects, radio commercials and soundtracks for film and video. From 2003 until 2008 Phil was the assistant manager of audio at Westbury National Show Systems, one of Canada's premiere Sound & Light Companys. Currently, Phil is semi-retired but he stays busy with a growing piano tuning & service business (Artist Piano Care), and playing Hammond in a number of blues/funk/Motown/R&B bands including the 4pm band, Howard Ross & the Full Count Blues Band, The Ernie Grimes Band, and Red Rain. In the past he has also played numerous "sit-in" or "sub" dates with Prakash John & The Lincolns, Michael Pickett, George Olliver & Gangbuster, Jack DeKeyser, Fathead, Mike Branton, Steven Ambrose, and The Jade Monkeys. Phil is also on call with a number of Toronto area churches as a worship leader or sideman. Phil is an associate member of both the PTG (Piano Technicians Guild) and the AES (Audio Engineering Society).

EMVKEYS (Electromechanical Vintage Keyboards) is a sideline activity for Phil who has a strong affection for certain older keyboard instruments such as "tonewheel" Hammonds, Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos, and Leslie speakers. Having amassed quite a collection for his own enjoyment he is also pleased to make his instruments available to professional entertainers and session players. EMVKEYS equipment has been hired for performances by The Linclolns, Downchild and Nucleus, for festivals and concert series including Burlington Jazz & Blues Festival, Kingston's Limestone City Blues Fest, CNE Midway and Casino stages, North Bay Heritage Festival, Whitby Harbour Days Festival, Clarington Jazz Fest, and Hillebrand Vineyard Jazz & Blues festivals. EMVKEYS instruments have been enjoyed in performances and recording sessions by such celebrated players as Tony Monaco, Doug Riley, Dennis Keldie, Michael Fonfara, Grant Slater, Bernie Senensky, and Martin Aucoin.