David Murray (saxophonist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Murray
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Murray at the Guelph Jazz Festival in 2009, Canada
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| Background information | |
| Born | February 19, 1955 |
| Origin | Oakland, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Labels | Motéma Music, Red Baron, Justin Time, Marge, PAO Records, Intakt Records, Black Saint, Columbia Epic, Indian Navigation, Disk Union |
| Associated acts | World Saxophone Quartet |
David Keith Murray, born on February 19, 1955, is an American jazz musician. He is famous for playing the tenor saxophone and bass clarinet. David has made many recordings since the 1970s. He lives in New York City.
Contents
About David Murray
David Murray was born in Oakland, California, in the United States. He went to Pomona College for two years. Later, in 2012, he received an honorary degree from the college.
Musical Style and Influences
David was first inspired by free jazz musicians. These included Albert Ayler and Ornette Coleman. Over time, his playing style became more varied. David chose not to follow John Coltrane as his main role model. Instead, he added parts of other famous players like Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster into his music. Even so, he recorded an album called Octet Plays Trane in 1999, which honored Coltrane.
Working with Other Musicians
David Murray helped start the World Saxophone Quartet. Other members included Oliver Lake and Julius Hemphill. He has played and recorded with many other talented musicians. Some of these include Henry Threadgill, McCoy Tyner, and Randy Weston. David is known for a special technique called circular breathing. This allows him to play very long musical phrases without stopping.
Recent Music Projects
In 2024, David Murray released a new album. It was called Francesca. He played with his new quartet, which included Marta Sanchez on piano. His wife, Francesca Cinelli Murray, helped create a video for one of the songs, "Ninno."
Francesca was chosen as one of the best jazz albums of 2024. Both The New York Times and Downbeat magazine praised it. David Murray's quartet also released another album, Birdly Serenade, in spring 2025.
Awards and Honors
David Murray has received many awards for his music.
- In 1980, Village Voice magazine named him Musician of the Decade.
- He won the Bird Award in 1986.
- In 1989, he received a Guggenheim Fellowship.
- David Murray and his band won a Grammy Award in 1989. This was for their album Blues for Coltrane: A Tribute to John Coltrane.
- He was honored with the Danish Jazzpar Prize in 1991.
- Newsday newspaper named him Musician of the Year in 1993.
- In 2012, he received an honorary Doctorate Degree in Music from Pomona College.
- The California Arts Council gave him a legacy grant in 2021.
Discography
See also
In Spanish: David Murray (saxofonista) para niños
