During his sixteenth year, he left for Montreal where he completed his musical apprenticeship where he practiced music theory and choral singing at the Vincent-d'Indy School and took guitar and organ lessons at Cours Galipeau Musique Inc.[1] Back in France he creates his own group; his influences are: Jimi Hendrix, Franck Zappa, Led Zeppelin, James Brown.

During this stay he frequents musicians from the Black Artist Group such as Joe Bowie, Charles Bobo Shaw with whom he will perform.

On his return to France in 1985, he led Concept with bassist Philippe Gareil and recorded an album that was released by 52e Rue Est.

[5] He set up a twenty-four track mobile recording studio in a truck and recorded musicians such as Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Richie Cole, Michel Petrucciani Trio, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea Elektric Band, Chris McGregor, live at the Château d'O Jazz Festival in Montpellier and Raoul Petite at Musikenstock in Nîmes.

[6] In 1994, he created Recall Studio, where he has recorded with Alain Bashung, Noir Désir, Césaria Evora, Stomy Bugsy, Corneille, Julien Doré, Gipsy Kings, Massilia Sound System, Pino Palladino, Jon Carin, Mike Stern, John McLaughlin, Shakti, Jacky Terrasson, and Biréli Lagrène.

In these last two albums, he worked with Mike Stern, Jacky Terrasson, Stéphane Belmondo, Irving Acao, Linley Marthe, Dominique Di Piazza, Olivier Ker Ourio, and Pierre de Bethmann.

[14] Also this article by Stéphane Cerri, published in the French daily "Le Midi Libre" sums up well the musical approach of Philippe Gaillot - "a cool jazz and open to the world"[15] With Concept