PHER

PHER is an Oakland-born vocalist, songwriter, and cultural force whose work lives at the intersection of jazz tradition, soul lineage, and contemporary Black music. Formerly known as Chris Turner, he reemerged as PHER with a deeper artistic clarity—one rooted in ancestry, reinvention, and the courage to evolve.

His voice—both technically masterful and emotionally unguarded—has made him a sought-after collaborator across genres. From intimate jazz settings to global stages, PHER’s artistry bridges worlds, carrying the improvisational spirit of jazz into modern soul, R&B, and hip-hop.

He first garnered international attention with his breakout project LOVElife is a Challenge and his standout performance on Snarky Puppy’s Family Dinner Volume Two, where his original song “Liquid Love” became a defining moment. His single “Murky,” released during a period of personal and artistic transition, has since surpassed two million streams—an anthem of resilience, faith, and forward motion.

PHER is also a Grammy-winning contributor, lending his voice to landmark projects including Esperanza Spalding’s Radio Music Society and Jon Batiste’s Hollywood Africans. His collaborative orbit spans icons and innovators alike, including Prince, Stevie Wonder, Usher, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding, Kanye West, and The Roots, among many others.

Beyond the stage, PHER is a dedicated educator and community builder. He has held leadership roles at Macklemore's The Residency, the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music and The New School, while mentoring and coaching a new generation of artists including Sean Kingston, 070 Shake, Aja Monet, and WolfTyla.

Now, with a renewed sense of purpose and a return to his Oakland roots, PHER enters a defining chapter. His current body of work—anchored by Songs by PHER—reflects a full-circle moment: a sound shaped by journey, grounded in home, and driven by the belief that staying the course is its own form of triumph.