Mike Murley

Mike Murley (tenor and soprano saxophonist) was born in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1961. Mike Murley has emerged as one of the country’s finest jazz artists since moving to Toronto from his native Nova Scotia in 1981. His critically-acclaimed work as a leader and a sideman has placed him at the forefront of Canada’s jazz scene for more than a decade. Since winning the Juno award in 1991 for his Two Sides album, Murley has appeared on seven other Juno award-winning recordings including four in the last five years. More recently Murley was voted saxophonist of the year for the 2002 and 2004 National Jazz Awards.

Murley is also a member of the Juno award-winning (2001) Rob McConnell Tenet. Their first of three albums on the Justin Time label was also nominated for a 2002 Grammy award. The group features some of Canada’s finest jazz artists playing masterful arrangements by the legendary valve trombonist.

Mike Murley’s playing experience on the international level includes performances with a diverse cross-section of artists including Kenny Wheeler, Randy Brecker, and the late Jack McDuff. His recording credits include sessions with John Abercrombie, Paul Bley, and Sonny Greenwich. He has also appeared as a featured soloist on four different CDs with trumpeter/composer Wheeler, including the latest two Maritime Jazz Orchestra CDs featuring John Taylor’s Azimuth. In addition Murley has worked with some of the most well-respected New York musicians of his generation including trumpeter Dave Douglas, pianist Renee Rosnes, and drummer Bill Stewart.

Murley keeps a busy teaching schedule at various institutions. He has been a part time faculty member at the University of Toronto since 1993 and at York Unversity since 1995 (Murley graduated with a BFA from York in 1986). In November 2002, Murley completed a week long teaching residency at The Banff Centre in Banff, Alberta. He was also part of a prestigious international faculty at the Banff Jazz Workshop in May 2003 and 2004 under the direction of trumpeter/composer Dave Douglas.

 

Video Clips

Mike Murley – tenor sax
Don Thompson – vibraphone
Reg Schwager – guitar
Jim Vivian – bass
Terry Clarke – drums
Video – Bill King – Old Mill – March 12, 2007 Toronto

“Vivian”

“Windows”