Phillip Della Penna, 100, a member of Local 802 since 1945, died on Dec. 3, 2024, following a fall in his home in Maplewood, New Jersey. Phil was a gifted musician with an enormous repertoire who did not need sheet music to perform.

He was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where his musical career began. In his late teens, he moved to New York and became an accomplished pianist, performing in hotels, lounges, bars and clubs. He eventually moved to Hollywood, where he became an orchestrator and conductor, playing with Jimmy Dorsey, Sammy Kaye, Vaughan Monroe and Ray Noble.

Upon his return to New York, he worked at Peacock Alley and Windows on the World for 10 years. He served as music director, conductor and arranger for Marlene Dietrich, Dorothy Lamour, Jane Morgan and Judy Garland. During those years, Van Cliburn was living at the Waldorf Astoria, and when he heard Phil play in Peacock Alley, he asked him to play for many of his private parties. He nicknamed Phil “The Rachmaninoff of Pop Music.”

Phil previously wrote musical arrangements for Steinway Classics and wrote piano arrangements with Dick Hyman and Oscar Peterson.

In 2000, Phil began playing in a popular upscale restaurant in New Jersey named Pals Cabin, performing three nights a week until their closing in 2013. Even at age 96, he could be heard playing gigs at Highlawn Pavilion, until Covid closed their doors in 2020.

Phil was one of five boys born to Frank J. Della Penna and Victoria Amelia Burgen. He married his beloved wife Audrey, and they celebrated 47 years together until she passed away in 1996. He is survived by his son Craig, daughter-in-law Barbara and granddaughter Arwen.