James Robert Murphy

I am primarily known as a blues artist (Austin Jimmy Murphy) from Central New York, but to expand my playing and songwriting ability, I have been delving into jazz. I am learning so much. When performing these days, I go out as a soloist. I perform to blues, samba and jazz backing tracks that I have created, or in some instances, I have found an amazing track that has inspired me. While I am a decent singer, I'm not claiming to be a jazz singer...but I am considering it...I just haven't made the effort as of yet. It isn't out of the question. I am very pleased with my personal growth as a musician. After releasing the acclaimed instrumental album, Diddle, I found myself in a bit of a slump, but soon began working on the blues trilogy series, The Avocado Sessions 1, 2, and 3. Blues Salad, The Avocado Sessions Part One, and Blues Salad Part Two - Raw Fingerpicking and Slide Guitar have been released....three is near completion. Then I began working on the tentatively named project, Funky Blue....but did not complete it. I instead found a couple of live sessions: Live at The Black Orchid Lounge, recorded here in El Paso with bassist Curt Bushaw (we worked as a duo), and then I stumbled upon Live at Shifty's, a famous Syracuse, NY venue. Savoy Brown's rhythm section, consisting of Pat DeSalvo on bass and Garnet Grimm on drums, accompanied me. We were joined by keyboardist Scott Ebner. This is a rocking, hell- raising CD. Good for the soul. I then went back to wrapping up Funky Blue. I listened to the rough mixes one Sunday morning and it was very pleasing. Therefore, I changed the album name to Sunday Morning. It is my latest 2025 release. That is my story thus far. I was first exposed to jazz...in Syracuse, NY, my home turf. Nancy Kelly and others would perform in downtown clubs. Frank Malfitano hosts an annual jazz festival in downtown Syracuse. This was my inspiration to create the NYS Blues Festival. I met...bassist Curt Bushaw, pianist Ruben Gutierrez, sax man Frank Zona, and percussionist Eric Boseman here in El Paso. They have each recorded with me. The best show I ever attended was...several of the New York State Blues Festivals in Syracuse, NY, and the Syracuse Jazz Festivals. The first jazz record I bought was...Nancy Kelly - Singin' and Swingin'.