Phil Balsano

As keyboardist with the group Tantrum (Ovation Records), Phil composed the group’s single releases “Kidnapped” and “Rather Be Rockin’.“ The band toured nationally and performed on commercial advertising for Pepsi, Zenith and Wrigley. Escape Music released a CD compilation of Tantrum’s three LPs in 2005.

Phil composed “Too Late” (Billboard R&B Top 40) and “People of All Nations” for Shawn Christopher. His song “A Child’s Eyes” was featured on the MDA Telethon and StarSearch television programs.

As president of Last Song Music, Phil signed Chicago house music icons J.M Silk (BMG) and Jamie Principle (EMI). During Phil’s tenure the company landed multiple Top 10 records on the U.S. dance charts (#1 “I Can’t Turn Around”) and U.K pop charts (#1 “Jack Your Body”).

Phil co-founded Young Heroes Music. The company’s flagship act, StikMen was named a Top 20 Unsigned Act of 2000 garnering endorsements from Hammond Organ and CoZo Speakers. The band’s song “More Than Money” was featured in Going Attractions, a PBS documentary about drive-in theaters.

Phil performed in the Chicago area with his Woodstock tribute band, 1969, from 2007-12.

Phil contributed original music to the soundtrack of the PBS documentary Harold Washington and the Council Wars. He also produced albums by Chicago artists Big G and the Real Deal, Bumble Bee Bob and the Stingers, Jim Banke and The Cyrus Hayes Blues Band.

Phil’s band Swing Forward (Toucan Cove) released two albums, “Ain’t It Fun” and “Shut Up and Dance” and several theme-based EPs. The group’s tunes were featured on “Very Ballroom” dance compilations. 

Phil’s song “People of All Nations” was reimagined by DJ Fedde LeGrand and released globally as “Dancing Together” (Armada/Darklight) generating millions of streams. It will soon be released in a new version cowritten and arranged by DJ David Lee as “People of all Nationz” (Glitterbox).