George Washington "Wash" Phillips, also known as Washington Phillips, born on January 11, 1880, in Texas, was an American gospel blues singer and instrumentalist. He began his musical journey as a farmer near Teague, Texas, where he also served as a "jackleg preacher," often preaching at spontaneous gatherings or setting up storefront churches. Between 1927 and 1929, Phillips recorded 18 songs for Columbia Records in Dallas, including notable tracks like "Denomination Blues" and "What Are They Doing In Heaven Today". His unique instrument, often referred to as a "manzarene," added a distinctive sound to his recordings. Phillips' work has been recognized with compilations such as The Key to the Kingdom (2005) and Washington Phillips and His Manzarene Dreams, which received two Grammy nominations in 2018 for Best Historical Album and Best Album Notes. He passed away on September 20, 1954, from injuries sustained in a fall.
