Home » Jazz Musicians » Murray
Murray
Murray Middleman grew up in a musical family, exposed to the dynamic rhythms of swing and big band through his father's professional dance band in Philadelphia. At the tender age of 10, he was sitting in and playing with the band, and he was hooked! Murray has studied classical clarinet and saxophone since childhood. He learned jazz theory and improvisation with Jimmy Amadee, Woody Herman's composer and Vince Trombetta, saxophonist with The Mike Douglas Show. He also studied classical clarinet with Donald Montanaro, clarinetist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. By 14, Murray had organized his own jazz group, performing his original jazz compositions on PBS television.
After graduating from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Murray freelanced on the east coast. He played with some of the greats of the Philadelphia music scene including Bobby Durham (Oscar Peterson Trio) and famed organist Dr. Shirley Scott. At the invitation of trombonist Al Grey (trombonist with Count Basie's Band), he had the rare pleasure of performing at New York City's Storyville with the legendary Buddy Rich, who tagged Murray "a first rate man." Murray relocated to Los Angeles in the early '80s, where he established himself as one of the Southland's busiest saxophonists and woodwind artists, performing with many of LA's hottest jazz orchestras, in clubs and recording sessions. He continued to freelance, performing with superstars such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Sammy Davis Jr. In 1985, Murray formed his own full-service music company — Park Avenue West Entertainment. Park Avenue West provides a wide spectrum of outstanding entertainment for society and charity galas, corporate events, concerts, private parties and weddings throughout the United States. As a consummate woodwind artist and bandleader, Murray Middleman has gathered a core group of the most talented and versatile musicians and performers to be part of Park Avenue West. Recently, Murray began working with renowned musicians and entertainers including Milcho Leviev, Desi Arnaz Jr., and Jennifer Leitham, performing classic and contemporary selections from the beloved American Songbook (George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael, among many others) and other influential works. 1969 -Murray begins performing professionally in Philadelphia 1976- fusion jazz/ rock band, Free Flight, performs with John Lennon of the Beatles; Performs with drummer/legend, Buddy Rich & trombonist Al Grey in New York In the 1984 Murray relocated to Los Angles and worked with the Peter Duchin for the International Olympic Committee, in Los Angeles Murray launches his company ,Park Avenue West Entertainment and performs with icons Sammy Davis, Jr.
Read moreTags
Jazz Musician of the Day: David Murray
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating David Murray's birthday today!
Few musicians in jazz history have proven more vigorously productive and resourceful than David Murray. During the past 35 years, from the moment he first visited New York as a 20 year-old student, playing in a walkup loft, in 1975, David has careened forward in a cool, collected, rocket-fueled streak. He has released over 150 albums under his own name. Yet more impressive than the numbers is the constancy of two ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: David Murray
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating David Murray's birthday today!
Few musicians in jazz history have proven more vigorously productive and resourceful than David Murray. During the past 35 years, from the moment he first visited New York as a 20 year-old student, playing in a walkup loft, in 1975, David has careened forward in a cool, collected, rocket-fueled streak. He has released over 150 albums under his own name. Yet more impressive than the numbers is the constancy of two ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: David Murray
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating David Murray's birthday today!
Few musicians in jazz history have proven more vigorously productive and resourceful than David Murray. During the past 35 years, from the moment he first visited New York as a 20 year-old student, playing in a walkup loft, in 1975, David has careened forward in a cool, collected, rocket-fueled streak. He has released over 150 albums under his own name. Yet more impressive than the numbers is the constancy of two ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: David Murray
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating David Murray's birthday today!
Few musicians in jazz history have proven more vigorously productive and resourceful than David Murray. During the past 35 years, from the moment he first visited New York as a 20 year-old student, playing in a walkup loft, in 1975, David has careened forward in a cool, collected, rocket-fueled streak. He has released over 150 albums under his own name. Yet more impressive than the numbers is the constancy of two ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: David Murray
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating David Murray's birthday today!
Few musicians in jazz history have proven more vigorously productive and resourceful than David Murray. During the past 35 years, from the moment he first visited New York as a 20 year-old student, playing in a walkup loft, in 1975, David has careened forward in a cool, collected, rocket-fueled streak. He has released over 150 albums under his own name... Read more.
Place our Musician of the Day widget on your ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: David Murray
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating David Murray's birthday today!
David Murray (tenor saxophone and bass clarinet) is a Jazz artist who has recorded over 130 albums, including 2 recorded in 2006 (Gwotet and Pushkin) and a forthcoming album to be released in Summer 2007. He was born in Oakland, California in 1955 and grew up in Berkeley, where he studied with his mother Catherine Murray (organist), Bobby Bradford, Arthur Blythe, Stanley Crouch... Read more.
Place our Musician of the Day ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: David Murray
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating David Murray's birthday today!
David Murray (tenor saxophone and bass clarinet) is a Jazz artist who has recorded over 130 albums, including 2 recorded in 2006 (Gwotet and Pushkin) and a forthcoming album to be released in Summer 2007. He was born in Oakland, California in 1955 and grew up in Berkeley, where he studied with his mother Catherine Murray (organist), Bobby Bradford, Arthur Blythe, Stanley Crouch... Read more.
Place our Musician of the Day ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: David Murray
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating David Murray's birthday today!
David Murray (tenor saxophone and bass clarinet) is a Jazz artist who has recorded over 130 albums, including 2 recorded in 2006 (Gwotet and Pushkin) and a forthcoming album to be released in Summer 2007. He was born in Oakland, California in 1955 and grew up in Berkeley, where he studied with his mother Catherine Murray (organist), Bobby Bradford, Arthur Blythe, Stanley Crouch... Read more.
Place our Musician of the Day ...
read more
Shannon Murray, alias Saxman, Releases "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of…"
Source:
Plaza Mayor Company ltd
Plaza Mayor Company is proud to announce the return of the internationally acclaimed jazz artist Shannon Murray, alias Saxman, with his new recording Cool West Coast Jazz: The Stuff that Dreams are made of… The soulful Californian's new album of original jazz compositions are inspired by Hollywood's Film Noir genre of the 1940s. Film excerpts, photos, and animations projected during the concert add a rich visual narrative to Saxman's West Coast Cool sound. Track Listing: The Stuff That Dreams Are ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: David Murray
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating David Murray's birthday today! David Murray (tenor saxophone and bass clarinet) is a Jazz artist who has recorded over 130 albums, including 2 recorded in 2006 (Gwotet and Pushkin) and a forthcoming album to be released in Summer 2007. He was born in Oakland, California in 1955 and grew up in Berkeley, where he studied with his mother Catherine Murray (organist), Bobby Bradford, Arthur Blythe, Stanley Crouch... Read more. Place our Musician of the Day ...
read more
Murray
Location: Los Angeles
Instrument: Clarinet
Born: June 11, 1961
