Skip to main content
Regional secretary with the National Education Union
‘Give me a poem and I'll write a song with it’
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to renowned US tenor saxophonist DAVID MURRAY
David Murray & Class Struggle at INNtöne Jazzfestival 2018 [Schorle/CC]

 

NO OTHER saxophonist has so mastered the jazz tradition, while simultaneously playing out of it with such musical freedom, as David Murray. Born in Oakland, California, in 1955 he became a nonpareil of jazz saxophone within the post-John Coltrane, post-Sonny Rollins generation and, as he approaches his 70th year, he is still making wondrous sounds of fire, compassion and verve, as his newest album Francesca testifies.
 
Murray’s mother Catherine was pianist and musical director of the Missionary Church of God in neighbouring Berkeley. His father Walter was head deacon and played guitar. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
moholo
Appreciation / 9 July 2025
9 July 2025

CHRIS SEARLE pays tribute to the late South African percussionist, Louis Moholo-Moholo

CS albums
Album Reviews / 7 July 2025
7 July 2025

Re-releases from Bobby Wellins/Kenny Wheeler Quintet, Larry Stabbins/Keith Tippet/Louis Moholo-Moholo, and Charles Mingus Quintet

sofia
Interview / 2 July 2025
2 July 2025

CHRIS SEARLE speaks to Ethiopian vocalist SOFIA JERNBERG

themen
Interview / 18 June 2025
18 June 2025

CHRIS SEARLE speaks to saxophonist and retired NHS orthopaedic surgeon ART THEMEN

Similar stories
themen
Interview / 18 June 2025
18 June 2025

CHRIS SEARLE speaks to saxophonist and retired NHS orthopaedic surgeon ART THEMEN

Roella Oloro, 2021
Interview / 22 January 2025
22 January 2025
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to British Nigerian/Jamaican pianist ROELLA OLORO
Culture / 12 December 2024
12 December 2024
CHRIS SEARLE picks his favourites
Tenor saxophonist Nat Birchell and the Unity Ensemble
Interview / 24 July 2024
24 July 2024
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to self-taught tenor saxophonist Nat Birchall