David Murray (saxophonist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Murray
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| 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. He has made many recordings since the 1970s and lives in New York City.
Contents
Biography
David Murray was born in Oakland, California, USA. He went to Pomona College for two years. Later, in 2012, he received a special honorary degree from the college.
When he started, he was inspired by "free jazz" musicians like Albert Ayler and Ornette Coleman. Over time, he developed his own unique and varied musical style. Unlike many musicians his age, David Murray didn't just copy the famous John Coltrane. Instead, he learned from other great players like Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster. Even so, he recorded an album called Octet Plays Trane in 1999 to honor Coltrane.
David Murray helped start a group called the World Saxophone Quartet. Other members included Oliver Lake, Julius Hemphill, and Hamiet Bluiett. He has played and recorded music with many other talented musicians. Some of these include McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, and Randy Weston. David Murray uses a special technique called circular breathing. This allows him to play incredibly long musical phrases without stopping.
In 2024, Murray released a new album with his quartet called Francesca. The album features Marta Sanchez on piano, Luke Stewart on bass, and Russell Carter on drums. His wife, Francesca Cinelli Murray, created a video animation for the song "Ninno."
Francesca was chosen as the #2 Best Jazz Album of 2024 by the New York Times. It was also listed among the best jazz albums by DownBeat magazine. David Murray's quartet plans to release their next album in spring 2025 with Verve Records.
Awards
- In 1980, David Murray was named Village Voice Musician of the Decade.
- He received the Bird Award in 1986.
- He was given a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1989.
- David Murray and his band won a Grammy Award in 1989. This was for their album Blues for Coltrane: A Tribute to John Coltrane.
- In 1991, he was honored with the Danish Jazzpar Prize.
- Newsday named him Musician of the Year in 1993.
- He received an honorary Doctorate Degree in Music from Pomona College in 2012.
- He was given a legacy grant by the California Arts Council in 2021.
Discography
Images for kids
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Murray in the studio recording Brave New World Trio's first album Seriana Promethea, November 2021
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Murray, Guelph Jazz Festival 2009, Canada
See also
In Spanish: David Murray (saxofonista) para niños
