Phil Zimmerman has been a bluegrass musician since his high school days in Chicago. Phil performed with the late, great Ernie Sykes Sr., who sang and played traditional bluegrass in the authentic mountain style, first as a member of the Suffolk County Boys and then as part of the Sykes Boys. Phil also performed for 10 years with Traver Hollow, Connecticut's premier traditional bluegrass band. In 1999, Phil joined with former Seldom Scene member Phil Rosenthal and Grammy-winning Stacy Philips to form Bluegrass Union. He’s also a founding member of Last Fair Deal. Phil taught mandolin and banjo workshops at the Joe Val Festival in 2006 and 2007, and is on the faculty at Mandolin Camp North and Banjo Camp North.