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Mark Murphy
Mark Murphy (1975).jpg
Mark Murphy (1975)
Background information
Birth name Mark Murphy
Born (1932-03-14)March 14, 1932
Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Origin Fulton, New York, United States
Died October 22, 2015(2015-10-22) (aged 83)
Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Swing, Jazz
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocals
Associated acts Jack Teagarden, Eddie Jefferson, Jon Hendricks, Sheila Jordan

Mark Murphy (born March 14, 1932 – died October 22, 2015) was a talented American jazz singer. He was born in Syracuse, New York, but lived most of his life in New Jersey. Mark Murphy was known for his unique singing style and for writing new lyrics to famous jazz songs.

Who Was Mark Murphy?

Mark Murphy was a jazz singer who became famous for his smooth voice and creative approach to music. He started singing at a young age and developed a style that mixed traditional jazz with new ideas. He was especially good at a type of jazz singing called "vocalese," where singers create lyrics for instrumental jazz solos.

Early Life and Music

Mark Murphy was born in Syracuse, New York. He grew up loving music and decided to become a singer. He moved to New York City, which was a big center for jazz music. There, he began to perform in clubs and record albums. His early music showed his passion for jazz and his ability to connect with listeners.

His Unique Jazz Style

Mark Murphy was known for his special way of singing jazz. He could sing many different kinds of jazz, from fast swing songs to slow, emotional ballads. He often added his own creative twists to classic songs. This made his performances fresh and exciting for his fans.

Creating New Lyrics

One of Mark Murphy's special talents was writing new words for jazz songs that originally had no lyrics. He wrote words for famous jazz tunes like "Stolen Moments" and "Red Clay." This skill, called "vocalese," allowed him to tell stories and add new meaning to instrumental music.

Awards and Recognition

Mark Murphy received many awards and honors during his long career. He was recognized as one of the best male jazz singers of his time.

Down Beat Magazine Polls

He won the Down Beat magazine readers' jazz poll for Best Male Vocalist of the Year multiple times. He won in 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2001. This showed how popular he was with jazz fans and critics.

Grammy Award Nominations

Mark Murphy was nominated for a Grammy Award six times. These nominations were for Best Vocal Jazz Performance. The Grammy Awards are very important in the music world, and his nominations showed his high level of talent.

Later Life and Legacy

Mark Murphy continued to perform and record music for many years. He inspired many other jazz singers with his unique style and dedication to the music. He left behind a rich collection of recordings that continue to be enjoyed by jazz lovers today.

Mark Murphy passed away on October 22, 2015, in Englewood, New Jersey. He was 83 years old. His music and his contributions to jazz continue to be celebrated.

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