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Draft:Greg Murphy (musician)

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Greg Murphy
File:GregMurphy 20241201.png
Background information
Born (1959-12-01) December 1, 1959 (age 65)
OriginSt. John's, Newfoundland
GenresJazz, post-bop
OccupationMusician
InstrumentPiano
Years active1980's-present
Websitegregmurphyjazz.com

Greg Murphy (born December 1, 1959) is an American jazz pianist and bandleader known for his own performances and recordings as well as his twenty-two year association with Rashied Ali, the drummer in John Coltrane's last jazz bands. [1]

Biography

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Greg Murphy was born in St. Johns's, Newfoundland, Canada in 1959 and raised in Chicago, Illinois, United States. [2] Greg Murphy has been one of the most active jazz pianists on the New York City jazz scene since he moved there from Chicago in 1987. Although perhaps best known for recording and performing with Rashied Ali for more than two decades, Greg has performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia with his own trio and others throughout his entire career. Greg’s trio CD Bright Idea, featuring drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts and bassist Eric Wheeler rose to the top of the JazzWeek charts in February and March of 2019. [3] His recording of “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” was the theme song for the Academy Award-nominated HBO documentary “Redemption” in 2013. Greg has performed with such luminaries as Ornette Coleman, Christian McBride, Carlos Santana, Isaiah Collier, Billy Hart, Arthur Taylor, Joe Lovano, and scores of others.

Early life and education

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Greg has been playing with jazz bands since he joined Chicago’s Ray-Fisk Grammar School Band when was 12 years old. He began studying classical music at Roosevelt University when he was 11 years old. He played with several bands in Chicago (most notably The University of Illinois at Chicago Big Band and The Northern Illinois University Big Band) before moving to New Orleans to study with the venerable jazz educator Ellis Marsalis upon obtaining a jazz study grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1984. Ellis Marsalis is also the father to a few jazz musicians (e.g., Wynton, Bradford, Delfayo and Jason). [4] Until moving to New York City in 1987, he recorded and performed with The New Orleans Jazz Couriers, Percussion Incorporated, and his own group, The Fusicians. Greg also performed with Wynton Marsalis and countless other notable New Orleans musicians. [5]

Discography

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As leader

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  • You Remind Me – Greg Murphy (Whaling City Sound: 2024); arranger, composer, leader, piano
  • Cool Water – Greg Murphy (Whaling City Sound: 2021); arranger, composer, leader, piano
  • Bright Idea – Greg Murphy (Whaling City Sound: 2021); arranger, composer, leader, piano
  • Summer Breeze – Greg Murphy (Whaling City Sound: 2016); arranger, composer, leader, piano
  • Blues for Miles – Greg Murphy (JazzIntensity: 2014); arranger, composer, leader, piano
  • Orientation – Greg Murphy (Murphasaurus: 2006); arranger, composer, leader, piano
  • Let's Get Started – Greg Murphy (Murphasaurus: 2004); arranger, composer, leader, piano

With Rashied Ali

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  • “Prima Materia” – Rashied Ali – Meditations (Knitting Factory Works, 1995); piano
  • “Prima Materia” – Rashied Ali – Bells (Knitting Factory Works, 1996); piano
  • “No One in Particular” – Rashied Ali Quintet (Survival Records, 2001); piano
  • “Judgement Day Vol. 1” – Rashied Ali Quintet (Survival Records, 2006); piano
  • “Judgement Day Vol. 2” – Rashied Ali Quintet (Survival Records, 2006); piano
  • “Live in Europe” – Rashied Ali Quintet (Survival Records, 2009); piano

References

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  1. ^ Collar, Matt (2024). "Greg Murphy – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  2. ^ "Greg Murphy – Biography". AllAboutJazz. 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  3. ^ "Greg Murphy Bright Idea (Whaling City Sound)". JazzWeek. 2019. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  4. ^ Yanow, Scott (2024). "Ellis Marsalis – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  5. ^ "Bio". GregMurphyJazz. Retrieved 2024-12-01.