Phillip E. Mitchell is a songwriter, creative writer, scholar, and sacred music composer. He’s released four albums under his rock moniker, Jefferson Hyll, and has multiple releases under his own name. He writes and produces in several genres, including sacred music, jazz, traditional pop, and synth pop. Ruta 66 called his latest album under Jefferson Hyll “an absolute triumph.” He won the UK Songwriting Contest open category in 2021 with his song, “Run with a Torch.” He’s been a finalist in the same contest nine times. His moniker, Jefferson Hyll, was also awarded a special mention in the International Songwriting Awards. He’s also been recognized by the Nashville and Chattanooga Songwriters Association.
His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in New Writing, Toasted Cheese, and Litro. His academic work focuses on literary hermeneutics, metaphysics, and phenomenology.
He loves hard-edged and color block paintings, like this Ellsworth Kelly painting, “Orange Red Relief.” He’s also interested in architectural theory, and modern design.
He’s a dweller on the threshold and lives with his wife in Owensboro, KY. After leaving an associate professorship in English at the University of North Georgia, he’s on another journey. The destination, perhaps even the ground under his [figurative] feet, is currently unnamable.
“Feel the angel of the present
In the mighty crystal fire.
Lift me up, consume my darkness.
Let me travel even higher.” – Van Morrison