Bryan Murray
Affiliation: Bryan and the Haggards
Jon Lundbom and Big Five Chord
Bryan Murray (hipster band name) Trio
New Jersey Workshop for the Arts
Artist's Biography
Bryan was born and raised in Nitro, West Virginia, where he began studying and playing professionally at a young age with local guitarist/bassist Chuck Biel. Bryan then pursued his musical studies at the University of Kentucky with Miles Osland. He was a member of the Downbeat award winning ensemble Mega Sax, which made several recordings on the Seabreeze Jazz label. Upon completion of his Bachelor of Music, he continued his education and obtained a Masters in Jazz Studies at DePaul University under the instruction of Mark Colby. While attending DePaul, Bryan performed with Joe Lovano, Kenny Werner, Nicholas Payton, and recorded a live CD with Tom Harrell. Bryan was also a member in the Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra and is featured on their recording "Labor of Love." While in Chicago, Bryan had the opportunity to study with tenor greats Joe Lovano and Rick Margitza. Bryan spent four years in Chicago working as a private instructor and freelance musician before moving to New York.
Since moving to Brooklyn, New York in 2002, Bryan has established a strong presence in the New York music scene, leading his own quartet as well as his avant-jazz/country band "Bryan and the Haggards." He is also currently performing and recording with many ensembles including Jon Lundbom and Big Five Chord, the Nick Russo Quintet, and the Aaron Irwin Group. Since moving to New York, he has studied with saxophonists Rich Perry and Chris Cheek, and has performed at numerous venues including 55 Bar, Blue Note, Jazz Gallery, CBGB's Underground Lounge, and the Knitting Factory.
Bryan has performed with: Aaron Irwin Group, Brian O'Hern Big Band, Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Jon Lundbom and Big Five Chord, Mostly Other People Do The Killing, Puttin on the Ritz, The Crevulators, Christian Finger Band, Louie Belson, Michael Bates Tamarind, Microtonacity, Mike Fahie Orchestra, Nick Russo Quintet, Peter Van Huffel Quintet, Ray Charles, Rick Parker's Jazz Collective, Sherisse Rogers Jazz Orchestra and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
Artist's Influences
Rich Perry, Chris Cheek, Joe Lovano, Merle Haggard, Elliot Smith, Joe Henderson, John Coltrane, Bob Ross, Will Ferrell, Ornette Coleman, John Elway, Tom Waits, Lionel Richie, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, and many others...
