Dave McMurray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dave McMurray
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 1958 (age 66–67) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, producer |
| Instruments | Saxophone, flute, keyboard, percussion |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Labels | Hip Bop, Blue Note |
Dave McMurray is an American jazz musician, born in 1958. He is best known for playing the saxophone. Dave has had a long and successful career, playing with many famous artists and releasing his own music.
Contents
Early Life and Music Start
Dave McMurray grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He was a good student and earned a scholarship to attend Cranbrook Schools for high school. After graduating from Wayne State University, where he studied how cities work and how people think, Dave first worked helping people with their mental health.
His musical journey began when he toured with the famous blues musician Albert King. After that, Dave started his own band called 'Midnight Sky'. He also joined an experimental jazz group called Griot Galaxy. Dave became a member of the pop-rock band Was (Not Was) right from the start and played on all their albums.
Working with Famous Artists
Dave McMurray has played music for many different artists over the years. This is called being a "session musician." In the 1980s and 1990s, he played on albums for classic rock and blues bands. Some of these included The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.
From 2008 to 2016, Dave was the saxophonist in Kid Rock's band, Twisted Brown Trucker Band.
Solo Albums and Jazz Projects
Dave McMurray has also released his own albums. His first solo album, The Secret Life, came out in 1989. Later, he signed with Warner Bros. Records and released The David McMurray Show in 1996.
In 2018, Dave released Music Is Life, his first album with Blue Note Records. This album featured his own songs and some well-known cover songs.
In 2019, Dave played with Bob Weir at a music festival in San Francisco. This was his first time hearing the music of the Grateful Dead, a famous rock band. He then recorded Grateful Deadication, an album where he played jazz versions of the Grateful Dead's songs. This album came out in 2021 and featured Bob Weir and other musicians.
Dave released a follow-up album called Grateful Deadication 2 in May 2023. This album also features his Detroit-based band and special guests like Jamey Johnson and Bob James.
Personal Life
Dave McMurray lives in Detroit with his wife, Garzelle. They have one daughter.
Discography
As Leader
- The Secret Life (Timeless, 1989)
- The Dave McMurray Show (Warner Bros., 1996)
- Peace of Mind (Hip Bop, 1999)
- Soul Searching (Hip Bop, 2001)
- Nu Life Stories (Hip Bop, 2003)
- Music Is Life (Blue Note, 2018)
- Grateful Deadication (Blue Note, 2021)
- Grateful Deadication 2 (Blue Note, 2023)
