Philip Aaberg (April 8, 1949 – May 23, 2026) was an American pianist and composer. He gained international recognition through a series of successful piano recordings released on Windham Hill Records. Although classically trained, Aaberg incorporated classical, jazz, bluegrass, rock, and new music elements into his compositions and musical structures. Although best known for his solo piano work, he was most at home in the chamber jazz genre. His compositions are noted for their "rigorous keyboard technique, diverse influences, and colorful compositional style."
Early life and education
Aaberg was born in Havre, Montana, in 1949, and raised in Chester, Montana. By the age of 14, he was performing with local bands at dances. Aaberg won a Leonard Bernstein Scholarship to study music at Harvard. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Harvard, he moved to Oakland, California and played in blues clubs for several years. He also toured and recorded as a member of Elvin Bishop's Group at the time of its greatest popularity, and co-wrote the title song of the band's 1976 Struttin' My Stuff release, an album which also included Bishop's biggest hit, "Fooled Around and Fell in Love," featuring Aaberg on piano.
Windham Hill years
In 1985, Aaberg signed a recording contract with Windham Hill Records and released a solo album titled High Plains. He followed this up with three more solo albums: Out of the Frame (1988), Upright (1989), Cinema (1992). Aaberg also appeared regularly on the Windham Hill Sampler albums over 20 years and had success in various collaborations and ensemble projects.
Aaberg performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra and appeared at the Marlboro Chamber Music Festival. As a guest artist, he performed on over 200 albums and on PBS's All-American Jazz program, which earned him an Emmy Award nomination. He appeared with Peter Gabriel and Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers in concert.
In 2000, Aaberg began his record label with his wife Patty, Sweetgrass Music, through which he later endeavored to produce music that "connects a global audience to the sweeping landscape of the West." Releases include Field Notes (2000), Live from Montana (2000), which received a Grammy nomination, Christmas (2002), Blue West (2005), and High Plains Christmas (2013).
Throughout his career, Aaberg produced music that consistently translated Montana's farms, ranches, and native cultures into "musical concepts" and "forged a unique keyboard style that paints an audible portrait of his home state." Philip also produced a public radio program "Of the West: Creativity and Sense of Place". He received a Montana Governor's Award for the Arts and in 2011, received a Montana Arts Council Innovator Award. His score for "Class C: The Only Game in Town" was nominated for a regional Emmy.
In addition to Sweetgrass Music and "Of the West", Philip and Patty Aaberg ran the Great Northern Bed and Breakfast, the Westland Suite, and The Bin recording studio.
Death
Aaberg died from pneumonia on May 23, 2026, at the age of 77.
Discography
Solo recordings
1985 High Plains
1988 Out of the Frame
1989 Upright
1992 Cinema
2000 Field Notes
2000 Live from Montana
2002 Christmas
2005 Blue West
2013 High Plains Christmas
2015 From the Ground Up
2017 Versatile
Collaborations
1986 The Shape of the Land (with Michael Hedges and William Ackerman)
1987 Morning Walk (with Metamora)
1990 Meridian (with Bernie Krause)
1998 A Christmas Heritage (with New Grange)
1999 New Grange (with New Grange)
2001 Tasting the Wine Country (with the Mike Marshall Quintet)
2008 CrossTime (with Darol Anger)
2009 Three Part Invention (with Tracy Silverman and Eugene Friesen)
