Jazz Articles about Dave McMurray

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Dave McMurray Hears Himself In All Of Detroit's Music

by John Chacona
January 19, 2026

Saxophonist and composer Dave McMurray has much of the celebrated history of Detroit music in his memory and under his fingers. Now 70, and with four acclaimed releases on the storied Blue Note label, he is arguably at the pinnacle of a long and remarkably varied career. All the strands of that career are gathered by Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, in which McMurray is a featured voice. In advance of the band's appearance in Cleveland, Ohio ...

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Dave McMurray: Grateful Deadication 2

by Geno Thackara
May 12, 2023

Yet another Grateful Dead tribute will probably invite the same reactions from devotees and anyone else--either “oh, these songs again? “ or “Hmm, these songs again?" For anyone willing to take a look, it will (of course) come down to the way the material is presented and retooled, which in Dave McMurray's case means the sound of Detroit. His saxophone reflects his roots in Motown and soul no matter what he does, and so Grateful Deadication 2 flavors these songs ...

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Dave McMurray

by Lawrence Peryer
January 7, 2023

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Dave McMurray: Blowing on the Edge of Grate-ness

by Lawrence Peryer
July 23, 2021

Saxophonist Dave McMurray's discography is reflective of the musical melting pot of his hometown Detroit. Dave came up playing with everyone from bluesman Albert King, pianist Geri Allen, even Kid Rock. He is most known for his decades-long association with eclectic producer, and Blue Note label President, Don Was. Through Was, who is a band mate of Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir in their group Wolf Bros, Dave became familiar with the music of the San ...

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Dave McMurray Trio at Dazzle

by Geoff Anderson
April 7, 2019

Dave McMurray Trio Dazzle Denver, CO March 26, 2019 Power trio. That's a term most often applied to really loud rock bands. Many such entities began roaming the earth in the 1960s and shortly thereafter. Bands like the Jimi Hendrix Experience, ZZ Top, the James Gang and the daddy of them all, Cream, defined the concept. They featured a guitarist backed by bass and drums and, of course, volume. Lots of volume. But anybody can ...

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Dave McMurray: Soul Searching

by Jim Santella
September 1, 2001

His soulful saxophone melodies add a contemporary charm to age-old romance. Tap your hands lightly on the backbeat and relax, while Dave McMurray explores the smooth jazz arena with a little help from Bob James, Mark Isham, Chuck Loeb, the Ridgeway Sisters, and others.

“What cha gonna do with my lovin?" “Tell me now."

Complete with turntable scratches and tightly mixed overdubs, McMurray's session walks the walk and turns on the charm. On tenor, alto and soprano, he's ...