after graduating from st. xavier high school in cincinnati in 1972, phil degreg studied psychology at yale university. later, he played in a folk rock duo in new haven–area coffee shops. influenced by the music of bill evans, he switched to jazz and played in a student jazz band at yale. eventually, he moved to kansas city and joined the local jazz scene. he then studied at the north texas state university college of music from 1979 to 1982, completing a master's degree and performing and recording as a member of the one o'clock lab band. he was briefly a member of woody herman's big band. degreg returned to cincinnati when his daughter was born.