Phil has been a performer since the day he was born in Ventura, California, when he crawled around the stage of his father’s symphony. He has been playing the violin since he was 5 years old. At the age of 14, he heard and began to play blues and rock fiddle, rebelling against his classical roots.
In his late teens, he began playing a number of genres and has since played with some of the best from each one: rock (Bob Weir, Kenny Loggins, Jimmy Buffett), blues (Nick Gravenites, Pete Sears, Steve Miller), bluegrass (John McEuen, Nick Forster, Peter Wernick), country (Kix Brooks, Zac Brown), folk (Kate Wolf, Jay Ungar), Cajun (Mark Savoy, Steve Riley), Irish (Kevin Burke), and jazz (Bruce Forman, Shelly Burg).
In 1984, Phil started The Phil Salazar Band. Over the last 35 years, the band has become like family and is now called Phil Salazar and the Kin Folk. They have recorded 7 albums, two for the legendary Flying Fish Records, and currently have two on the way, “All That! For This?” and “Acoustic Jam.” Due to their incredible acoustic diversity, they have become fan favorites at concerts and festivals up and down the West Coast, such as Live Oak Music Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, Huck Finn Jubilee, Wintergrass, Kate Wolf Music Festival, California Bluegrass Association Festival, Parkfield Bluegrass Festival, and more.
Bill Flores guitarist/dobroist/accordionist is a musician extraordinaire, he has tours with Jeff Bridges’ band, The Abiders, for many years. He’s highly in demand for recording and stage work.
Elizabeth Rizor student of Phil’s who is pursuing her doctorate by day and playing with the Kin Folk by night. She triples the IQ of the band when she walks on stage. Like Phil, she’s a classical violinist gone bad who is learning how to play like a true fiddler.
Tom Corbett mandolinist/guitarist/vocalist and the funniest guy on stage. 2011 Kerrville New Folk Songwriter Finalist and a 2012 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour who has toured with John McEuen and Robin and Linda Williams.
Bill Knopf banjoist/guitarist/vocalist is Internationally known banjo player, he has played with almost everybody and has taught the rest. He was a nationally featured player with Doc Severinsen’s touring Las Vegas show.
Rick Borella is an amazing bassist is an amazing bass player who has never played a note that Phil didn’t like! He’s a top player in Santa Barbara County and has been playing with Phil since 1984.
Phil Salazar – fiddle, vocals; Tom Corbett – mandolin, guitar, vocals; Bill Knopf – banjo, guitar, vocals; Bill Flores – guitar, dobro, accordion; Elizabeth Rizor – fiddle; Rick Borella – bass
