Intersection Concert featuring Allan Phillips – Rhythms Without Borders

Global Fusion, Afro-Indigenous Traditions, and Contemporary Jazz
Diaspora, tradition, and transformation
Saturday, October 24, 2026
UC San Diego Park & Market, The Guggenheim Theatre

Emmy Award-winning composer, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist Allan Phillips invites audiences on a musical journey that transcends borders, genres, and generations. Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and shaped by the vibrant Afro-Indigenous musical traditions of the Caribbean coast, Phillips has spent a remarkable career exploring the intersections of jazz, Latin American music, African diasporic rhythms, Brazilian traditions, reggae, funk, classical composition, and cinematic storytelling. His work reveals how music carries culture across oceans, preserving memory while continually reinventing itself.

Internationally recognized for his artistry and innovation, Phillips has collaborated with an extraordinary roster of acclaimed performers including Donna Summer, Sergio Mendes, Al Jarreau, Zap Mama, Eva Ayllón, Habib Koité, and Vusi Mahlasela. His creative work spans concert stages, film and television, and award-winning recordings, earning both Emmy recognition for his compositions for PBS and Grammy recognition as a producer while establishing him as one of Southern California's most respected musical visionaries.

Created especially for the Intersections Concert Series, Rhythms Without Borders blends virtuosic musicianship with rich cultural storytelling, weaving together intricate percussion, soaring melodies, and global musical traditions into an immersive concert experience. Drawing from the musical currents of Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the contemporary jazz world, Phillips demonstrates how rhythm becomes a shared language of migration, resilience, identity, and belonging. The result is a performance that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally exhilarating, celebrating the enduring power of music to bridge cultures and connect communities.

Guiding the evening is Grammy Award-winning producer, composer, educator, and UC San Diego Teaching Professor Kamau Kenyatta, who serves as moderator. Through thoughtful conversation and cultural context, Kenyatta explores the historical traditions, artistic influences, and collaborative spirit that inform Phillips' work, offering audiences a deeper appreciation of the global musical dialogues unfolding throughout the performance.