For a label profile of Justin Time Records visit www.allaboutjazz.com/labels.htm
Justin Time Records are at www.justin-time.com
LIVE PERFORMANCE NOTES from 2001  



Duo Concert with Louis Sclavis-Bath Pavilion 27 May 2001
Intruiging themes....earthy yet exciting...solo spots for both Murray and Sclavis, Murray taking Body and Soul.

Mbizo Quintet play at the African Harvest North Sea Jazz Festival, Cape Town 30 March 2001 According to the concert programme, in addition to David Murray, the quintet features Russell Rafsul(??)(t), Mervyn Africa(p,org), Herbie Tsoadi(b), Louis Moholo(d). 
The MBIZO PROJECT performed at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 1 Aug 2001.  The line up was the WSQ (Murray, Oliver Lake, Bruce Williams, Hamiett Bluiett) plus Mervyn Africa(p, org) Jaribu shahid(b) Louis Mohol(d) Lucky Ranku(g) Klod Kiavue(perc) and Pinise Saul leading a vocal quartet.  Reviews of this concert appear in the Sept. issue of UK jazz mag Jazz Review.

San Francisco Jazz Festival 25 Oct. 2001. David Murray/Odean Pope Quartet.  Actually the Odean Pope Trio plus David Murray, Tyrone Brown(b) and Craig McIver(d)

Iridium, NYC, Dec 2001. The Octet consisted of Rassul Siddik, Omar Kabir(t) Craig Harris(tb) Senegalese alto sax player Abdoulaye N'Diaye, Murray(ts, b-clt) Maceo Gilchrist(p) Jaribu Shahid(b) Mark Johnson(d). At least one set was broadcast.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 6 May 2002.  Mr Murray's Quartet consisted of Lafayette Gilchrist(p) Jaribu Shahid(b) Hamid Drake(d).

Brecon Jazz Festival 10 August 2002.  Mr Murray's quartet included Lafayette Gilchrist, Jaribu Shahid and Steve McCraven(d).  An excellent set, dedicated to Wilber Morris.

London Jazz Festival; Queen Elizabeth Hall 21 November 2002.  David Murray and The Gwo-Ka Masters.  Murray(ts, b-clt) Jaribu Shahid(b) Hamid Drake(d) Klod Kiavue, Philip Makaia(ka d) Guy Konket(vo).  A fine set, more vibrant than on cd.

Brighton Festival 24 May 2003.  David Murray and the Gwo-Ka Masters.  Guest artist Pharoah Sanders.   With Rassul Siddik, Herve Sambe (g) others unknown at present.

London Jazz Festival, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 20 Novemebr 2004. Creole Project.  With Rassul Siddik (t, fl-hn) Herve Sambe (g)  Jaribu Shahid (b, e-b) Pheeroan Aklaff (d) Klod Kiavue, Francois Ladrezeau (hand drums)

Tel Aviv; February 2005 David Murray's Quartet consists of John Hicks, Jaribu Shahid and Hamid Drake.  With a string ensemble the quartet played music inspired by Pushkin (the visuals and words were not included).  The quartet also performed with Archie Shepp. 

Barbican; 13 March 2005; Pushkin.  Inspired by David Murray, seeks to tell the story of Pushkin through his texts, music and visuals.  This concert was cancelled.

Barbican 14 November 2005.  World Saxophone Quartet 'Experience'.  The Wsq consisted of Oliver Lake, Bruce Williams, David Murray, Hamiett Bluiett plus Craig Harris, Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Lee Pearson.  Part of the performance was broadcast on BBC Radio 3





RETURN to HOME page

RETURN to INDEX




On This Page
Discographical notes /Mr Murray plays..
E mail me and guest book
BIOGRAPHY.
Born Berkeley CA. 19 February 1955.  Studied tenor sax from age nine.  Led own r & b groups as a teenager.  Moved to New  York in 1975 soon establishing himself as a major musical force.
His first recordings, made at age 21, products of the New York loft movement were astonishingly mature and gave notice of a formidable playing and composing talent.  As well as leading his own groups he played with Arthur Blythe, James Blood Ulmer, Sunny Murray, Lester Bowie, and Jack DeJohnette.  Co- founder of the World Saxophone Quartet.  Has played solo concerts and led groups from duos through trios, quartets, octets and big bands.  Recent recordings and concerts have featured tributes to The Grateful Dead, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington.  David Murray is frequently regarded as being a member of the avant garde but his playing falls well within the modern mainstream/post bop tradition.  His influences include Paul Gonsalves, Ben Webster, Duke Ellington as well as Albert Ayler.  Today David Murray must be regarded as being among the small handful of truly great jazz tenor saxophonists as well as the finest bass clarinet player jazz has produced.  For more information about Mr Murray's recorded work email me.

This page was last updated on: September 24, 2008

C
       THE DAVID MURRAY PAGE
              News, new releases,reviews, opinion,               discographical notes, selected scans
BIOGRAPHY.
Born Berkeley CA. 19 February 1955.  Studied tenor sax from age nine.  Led own r & b groups as a teenager.  Moved to New  York in 1975 soon establishing himself as a major musical force.
His first recordings, made at age 21, products of the New York loft movement were astonishingly mature and gave notice of a formidable playing and composing talent.  As well as leading his own groups he played with Arthur Blythe, James Blood Ulmer, Sunny Murray, Lester Bowie, and Jack DeJohnette.  Co- founder of the World Saxophone Quartet.  Has played solo concerts and led groups from duos through trios, quartets, octets and big bands.  Recent recordings and concerts have featured tributes to The Grateful Dead, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington.  David Murray is frequently regarded as being a member of the avant garde but his playing falls well within the modern mainstream/post bop tradition.  His influences include Paul Gonsalves, Ben Webster, Duke Ellington as well as Albert Ayler.  Today David Murray must be regarded as being among the small handful of truly great jazz tenor saxophonists as well as the finest bass clarinet player jazz has produced.  For more information about Mr Murray's recorded work email me.
">
">
">
">
On This Page
Discographical notes /Mr Murray plays..
E mail me and guest book
Your Contributions

Your comments, reviews, news,
photographs, in fact anything about David Murray can appear on this page and are very welcome.  Details of live performance are especially welcome.Please e mail your contributions or leave shorter messages in the guest book
Latest Releases

NEW; Just out (Sept 2008) The Black Saint Quartet LIve In Berlin on Jazzwerkstatt 035

Released June 2008; David Murray/Mal Waldron Duo 'Silence', on Justin Time.



.
RETURN to HOME page

RETURN to INDEX




LIVE PERFORMANCE NOTES from 2001  



Duo Concert with Louis Sclavis-Bath Pavilion 27 May 2001
Intruiging themes....earthy yet exciting...solo spots for both Murray and Sclavis, Murray taking Body and Soul.

Mbizo Quintet play at the African Harvest North Sea Jazz Festival, Cape Town 30 March 2001 According to the concert programme, in addition to David Murray, the quintet features Russell Rafsul(??)(t), Mervyn Africa(p,org), Herbie Tsoadi(b), Louis Moholo(d). 
The MBIZO PROJECT performed at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 1 Aug 2001.  The line up was the WSQ (Murray, Oliver Lake, Bruce Williams, Hamiett Bluiett) plus Mervyn Africa(p, org) Jaribu shahid(b) Louis Mohol(d) Lucky Ranku(g) Klod Kiavue(perc) and Pinise Saul leading a vocal quartet.  Reviews of this concert appear in the Sept. issue of UK jazz mag Jazz Review.

San Francisco Jazz Festival 25 Oct. 2001. David Murray/Odean Pope Quartet.  Actually the Odean Pope Trio plus David Murray, Tyrone Brown(b) and Craig McIver(d)

Iridium, NYC, Dec 2001. The Octet consisted of Rassul Siddik, Omar Kabir(t) Craig Harris(tb) Senegalese alto sax player Abdoulaye N'Diaye, Murray(ts, b-clt) Maceo Gilchrist(p) Jaribu Shahid(b) Mark Johnson(d). At least one set was broadcast.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 6 May 2002.  Mr Murray's Quartet consisted of Lafayette Gilchrist(p) Jaribu Shahid(b) Hamid Drake(d).

Brecon Jazz Festival 10 August 2002.  Mr Murray's quartet included Lafayette Gilchrist, Jaribu Shahid and Steve McCraven(d).  An excellent set, dedicated to Wilber Morris.

London Jazz Festival; Queen Elizabeth Hall 21 November 2002.  David Murray and The Gwo-Ka Masters.  Murray(ts, b-clt) Jaribu Shahid(b) Hamid Drake(d) Klod Kiavue, Philip Makaia(ka d) Guy Konket(vo).  A fine set, more vibrant than on cd.

Brighton Festival 24 May 2003.  David Murray and the Gwo-Ka Masters.  Guest artist Pharoah Sanders.   With Rassul Siddik, Herve Sambe (g) others unknown at present.

London Jazz Festival, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 20 Novemebr 2004. Creole Project.  With Rassul Siddik (t, fl-hn) Herve Sambe (g)  Jaribu Shahid (b, e-b) Pheeroan Aklaff (d) Klod Kiavue, Francois Ladrezeau (hand drums)

Tel Aviv; February 2005 David Murray's Quartet consists of John Hicks, Jaribu Shahid and Hamid Drake.  With a string ensemble the quartet played music inspired by Pushkin (the visuals and words were not included).  The quartet also performed with Archie Shepp. 

Barbican; 13 March 2005; Pushkin.  Inspired by David Murray, seeks to tell the story of Pushkin through his texts, music and visuals.  This concert was cancelled.

Barbican 14 November 2005.  World Saxophone Quartet 'Experience'.  The Wsq consisted of Oliver Lake, Bruce Williams, David Murray, Hamiett Bluiett plus Craig Harris, Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Lee Pearson.  Part of the performance was broadcast on BBC Radio 3





The Octet Plays Trane.  A review by Alan Hewitt

Unlike many of his contemporaries Murray conspicuously steered cleer of Coltrane's legacy for many years, until the early 90's when he hooked up with Tyner and Jones and tore up Cousin Mary among others. He's been outside that loop preferring to immerse himself in such seemingly disparate players as Ayler and Hawkins, as well as Paul Gonsalves' work with Duke.  Here, however, he pays his respects wholeheartedly, via the mini orchestra that his is octet.  Despite personnel changes over the years this oufit has consistently supplied some of his most exciting work - from their startling debut of two decades ago, Ming, to their previous and perhaps surprisingly good, Grateful Dead project.
Giant Steps kicks things off (live it should blow the roof clean away) into Naima which features the leader in his luxurious ballad mode.  The heart of the album tho' is the serpentine reading of India (contrast it to his previous performance with Jack Dejohnette from 1980) in which is found some deliciously smokey flute from James Spaulding as well as Murray's bass clarinet over Mark Johnson's tablas .  Back into top gear for a fast romp through Lazy Bird where the solos come thick and fast.  The set's rounded off with a suitably epic reading of Acknowledgement breathing new life into it as a result.  Tucked amidst all this is one Murray original, The Crossing, a classic octet piece which dare I say it looses nothing in comparison and adds up to his best set for Justin Time so far - all I hope for now is that they can get the incendiary Ellington tribute band of last year taped - it would make a splendid companion piece.  This is fine to be going on with in the meantime and is as good a Trane tribute as here is, coming just as we thought the world didn't need another.

What They Said Then

Archive review of
Murray's Steps (Black Saint BSR 0065) from
Cadence
November 1983.

Murray's Steps is David Murray's third octet outing for the Italian black saint label.  Recorded in July 1982 the octet is somewhat changed fro these four tracks (Murray's Steps/Sweet Lovely/Sing
Song/Flowers For Albert) bringin in Bobby Bradford(t) Craig Harris(tb)
and Curtis Clark(p) with past regulars Henry Threadgill, Butch Morris, Wilber Morris, Steve McCall.
All of the music and much of the playing is of interest.  I find "Sweet Lovely"'s sweet and sour extemporising a bit rambling and ephemeral and Mr Threadgill's flute work (which is used extensively) strikes me as less than tangible.  Craig Harris and Butch Morris have fine spots, but Bobby Bradford's trumpet seems to me as quite ordinary here.  The leader's soloing is constantly powerful and a new composition "Murray's Steps"
( a Giant Stepish tour de force) is overall the most impressive whole.  had the rest of the record maintained that interest this would have been three for three for the octet.  As it is, this is the least interesting.  Bob Rusch


".....if I die tomorrow, I would be happy with my (recorded) legacy, give or take one or two, three or four.  I've made some albums that'll stand the test of time."
David Murray interviewed in Downbeat June 1995
For a label profile of Justin Time Records visit www.allaboutjazz.com/labels.htm
Justin Time Records are at www.justin-time.com
"...I'm not scared off by (Wynton Marsalis) bullshit....This is the most non-creative period in the whole history of jazz.  It's catch up time for people who want to play what's gone before.  They've stopped the clock and gone back again to the 60s, late 50s, to define jazz.  You have to understand this, these guys are not doing jazz a service."
David Murray interviewed in Jazzwise November 2000 by Stuart Nicholson


"They should be writing their own tunes and playing them out so people can react to them.  It's time for these young guys to come on out.  But what I see is, cats are scared"
David Murray in JazzTimes

David Murray plays a series 8600 Selmer Mark VI balanced action tenor saxophone with a Berg Larsen 120 mouthpiece and a #4 Rico Royal reed.  His bass-clarinet is a Leblanc which he plays with a #3 Rico Royal tenor saxophone reed.
Mr Murray's choice
not necessarily the editors!

Speaking In Tongues (Justin Time 1999)
Creole (Justin Time 1998)
Fo Deuk Revue (Justin Time 1997)
London Concert (Cadillac 1978)
Octet Plays Trane (Justin Time 2000)
The Long Goodbye (DIW 1998)
Morning Song (Black Saint 1984)
Jazzosaurus Rex (Red Baron 1994)
Shakill's Warriors (DIW 1995)
Flowers For Albert (India Navigation 1976)
The Tip (DIW 1995)
Dark Star (Astor Place 1996)

and by the World Saxophone Quartet
M'Bizo (Justin Time 1998)


Discographical notes
Olu Dara in a recent BBC interview spoke of unissued sessions from 1975/76  made for Alan Douglas featuring Dara(co,ldr), David Murray, Arthur Blythe, Hammiet Bluiett(reeds), Titos Sompa(perc), Cecil Mcbee, Fred Hopkins(b)
Philip Wilson, Bernard Purdie(d) Leon Thomas, Jessica Cleves(vo) Martulo Yomo(gtr).  Apolgies to the last two artists if their names have been transcibed incorrectly.  These recordings are out there somewhere and deserve to be heard.

Down Beat  February 2002, reports a weekend long live recording session at Bakers Keyboard Lounge in Detriot,  with James Carter, Johnny Griffin, David Murray, Franz Jackson, Dwight Adams, Larry Smith, Kenny Cox, Aretha Franklin and others.  The recording was supervised by Ahmet Ertegun. A bass clarinet duet by Carter and Murray with backing from Gerald Gibbs(org) was a highspot.  No indication that this recording is to be released in the near future(Nov 2002)

Jazz Podium Magazine reports the existence of a duo recording by David Murray with the late Mal Waldron
( Source Blue Note Bulletin Board)

Sound Hills have released a cd with David Murray and Aki Takase.  The duo was recorded live in Munich on 28 April 1997.  No further details.

The David Murray Quartet cd "Live At The Village Vanguard" on Sound Hills has also been released on 441 records.  It is not known if the "missing" track listed on the Sound Hills issue is present.

Sarah Morrow's Standards and Other Stories on Cobrableu 64100 features David Murray on two cuts' "A Night In Tunisia" and "Moanin'".  Personnel is; Steve Lefebvre(t)  Morrow(tb) Jesse Davis(as) Muray(ts) Victor Atkins(p) Clarence Seay(b) Donald Edwards(d). Recorded Boulogne France 27-29 Dec. 2001.

A release on Summit 1019, American Jazz Concertos, features the WSQ (Murray, Bluiett, Lake and Bruce Williams) with the Promusica Chamber Orchestra on one cut "Rahsaan And Stuff" composed by Oliver Lake. Recoded Columbus Ohio 4-5 November 2001.  The cd also has D D Jackson playing "Rhapsody In Blue".

Ya Ya Fornier's "Bearcat". Random Chance Records RCD 9. The personel is; David Murray  with Sue Green (as, two tracks) Rod Williams or Craig Taborn (p) Jaribu Shahid (b) Gerald Cleaver or Tani Tabal (d). Asson (perc, three tracks) . Recorded NYC August 2002.

Experience by the World Saxophone Quartet features Murray, Hamiett Bluiett, Oliver Lake and Bruce Williams.   With Gene Lake (d) Matthew Garrison (e-b).  There are guest contributions by Craig Harris (tb, didgeridoo, and voice) and Billy Bang (violin)

Murray guests on vocalist Sandi Russell's cd Sweet Thunder, 33Jazz 165.   Recorded London(?) July 2006.  Murray plays on Tryin' Times possibly other tracks.   On Tryin' Times the lineup in Russell(vo), Murray(ts) David Newton(p) Jim Mullen(g) Andy Cleyndert(b) and Steve Brown(d).

For an up to date list of all known David Murray recordings or discographical information please email me.


Recent releases

David Murray's last release was Sacred Ground on Justin Time.




 
  
Selected cover scans
David Murray as producer

Tidiane Et Les Dieuf Dieul;Salimata.
A new cd on Justin Time recorded in Senegal.
LIVE PERFORMANCE NOTES 1999 - 2000

Brecon Jazz Festival, August 1999
The David Murray Big Band Play The Obscure Works of Duke Ellington And Billy Strayhorn
For this concert Murray assembled an all-star band consisting of
Hugh Ragin, Rassul Siddik, Nathan Breedlove(t) Craig Harris, Gary Valente, Joe Bowie(tb) James
Newton, John Purcell, James Spaulding, Ricky Ford, Hammiet Bluiett(rds) Hilton Ruiz(p) Jaribu
Shahid(b) Andrew Cyrille(d) Klod Kiavue(perc) Carmen Bradford(vo)
A wonderful concert, the band loose and relaxed but still spot on! 
A scaled down version of this group played the North Sea Jazz Festival in July 1999 consisting of Murray with, Ragin, Harris, Newton, Purcell, Bluiett, Ruiz, Shahid and Cyrille and possibly one other.

Andrew Hill/David Murray at The Guinness Spot Belfast.
Jazzwise Magazine carried a review of this concert in the February 2000 issue.  Numbers included Billy Stayorn's Isfahan, Hill's Tough Love and Seven and Murray's When The Monarchs Come To Town, a bass clarinet feature.

Guelph, Ontario Jazz Festival, September 2000
Duo performance with pianist Jon Jang.
"It was a concert of contrasts, to be sure, and fortunately, the commitment and fire of their duets remained in the head long after the trite solo statements faded".  James Hale summing up his review  of the concert in CODA Jan/Feb 2001

The David Murray Octet Queen  Elizabeth Hall London 16 November 2000
Nathan Breedlove, Rassul Siddik(t) Sarah Morrow(tb) James Spaulding(as, flt) David Murray(ts, b-clt)
Lafayette Gilchrist(p) Jaribu Shahid(b) Tani Tabal(d)
The Octet where in splendid form playing music from the recent "Plays Coltrane" cd with the addition of
Mr PC
and an original for the encore.  Murray, although having lost some his rawness in recent years again proved himself to be the most exciting and original tenor saxophonist in jazz today.
All the band members where superb but James Spaulding stood out as did trombonist Sarah Morrow who had the difficult task of replacing Craig Harris-she did so admirably.  In pianist Gilchrist the other newcomer, Murray has found another out of the ordinary player.  His solos where highly originaland he provided a melodic counterline to the soloists rather than just feeding chords.
The programme consisted of-
Lazy Bird/The Crossing(into his promised land)/Mr PC/Acknowledgement/Naima/India/Breakout Too.


Sarah Morrow. Toured with the Octet
in 2000.   David Murray guests on two tracks. on her cd 'Standards and Other Stories'