Phil Markowitz has been a talented pianist for decades, generally better known as a valuable sideman rather than leader of his own sessions. He began playing piano when he was four. After graduating from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, Markowitz formed a fusion group in 1973 called Petrus. Three years later he officially moved to New York City, where he worked with Joe Chambers, Toots Thielemans, Miroslav Vitous, Jeremy Steig, and others. Most significant was his time as a member of the Chet Baker Quartet, which resulted in four European tours and several recordings. Markowitz spent 1983-1985 with the Mel Lewis Orchestra, was briefly Angela Bofill's musical director, and was part of a trio with Al DiMeola and Airto Moreira (which was later expanded to a quintet) that recorded a set for Manhattan. In 1987 Markowitz became a permanent member of the Bob Mintzer Big Band, and in 1990 he began an association with Dave Liebman that resulted in a number of recordings. Quite active as a jazz educator, Markowitz has also recorded and/or worked with Phil Woods, Vic Juris, Michael Brecker, Stan Getz, and Lionel Hampton and has recorded sets as a leader for Ken, Passage, and Sunnyside.