JazzMarathon '95
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David Murray - Podium trio
David Murray (tenor and soprano sax, flute, composer)
Born Berkely, California, 19 February 1955.
Mother, a pianist in the Pentecostal Church, taught him elementery harmony. Played tenor from age nine. At 12 he became interested in R&B and led groups as a teenager.
Studied at Pomoma College, Los Angeles, with Stanley Crouch and Margaret Kohn (piano) for two years. 1975, went to New York and was soon leading his own groups , touring Europe regularly and making records.
By the later 1970's he was working with James Blood Ulmer's harmolodic free-funk Music Revelation Ensemble, Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition and the World Saxophone Quartet.
In the early 1980's he was leading his own octet and quartet and recording for the Italian Black Saint label. 1985, he performed at the Camden festival (London) with the World Saxophone Quartet.
Murray began his professional career as a free player, sitting in with Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry and Anthony Braxton, and working with Sunny Murray.
However, his music gradually moved back into the area of coherent swing and clear structures.
Since 1984 has also led a big band which appeared at the Kool Festival.
His main influence is perhaps Paul Gonsalves, whom he much admires and considers underrated.
Other influences are Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Albert Ayler, Ornette Coleman and Ellington.
He is a player of outstanding plasicity and passion, and his music has all the fervour of hot gospel and the blues. He is also a gifted composer and arranger.

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