Results for "Dave Mcmurray"

Dave McMurray

Dave McMurray’s Blue Note Records debut, Music Is Life is a reunion of sorts, given the long history the saxophonist shares with the label’s president, and fellow Detroit native, Don Was. McMurray was a member of Was’ genre-defying unit Was (Not Was), first working together on the band’s self-titled 1981 debut. He’s played on all of the band’s albums and many other Was produced projects in the years since. When Was signed McMurray to Blue Note, the saxophonist says that he gave him no imperatives as to which artistic paths to take. “It was one of those situations in which he just said, ‘Do it,’” McMurray explains. “I know Dave’s playing really well

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble at the Newman Center

by Geoff Anderson
February 11, 2026

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Newman Center Denver, CO January 29, 2026 What to make of Don Was? He was co-leader of the band Was (Not Was), a band known for Frank Zappa-esque irreverent, off-beat humor that drew musical inspiration from rock, funk, soul, r&b, dance music, jazz, pop, world ...

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 ...

Kris Davis with The Lutosławski Quartet, Carolyn Trowbridge, Shifa شفاء

by Cheryl K.
January 8, 2026

During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music, cuts from new releases by pianist/composer Kris Davis with Poland's Lutosławski Quartet; guitarist Dave Stryker; saxophonist Roberto Ottaviano; vibraphonist and multi-instrumentalist Carolyn Trowbridge; the Joe Policastro Trio; and the trio Shifa شفاء. Playlist Matthew Shipp Trio “Ball in Space" from The Conduct of Jazz ...

Alex Ventling, Rafał Jackiewicz, Greg Foat, Out Of/Into & More

by Marek J. Śmietański
January 6, 2026

It's time to say goodbye to the old year--not by recapping 2025, but by finally wrapping up our roundup of last year's standout new releases. The first New Year's edition of the show (episode 121) will focus primarily on December premieres, with a handful of overlooked gems from the autumn slipping in as well. This time, ...

New Music From Politzer, Davis, West, Genovese & More

by Bob Osborne
December 25, 2025

This set moves through solo sketches, trio interplay, and full ensemble fire, tracing acoustic and electric textures across studio, live, and archival formats. It opens with flowing piano, moves into exploratory trio improvisation, and shifts between guitar meditations, reworked soul and rock standards, and tightly arranged ensemble writing. Abstract textures and ambient passages emerge mid-set, followed ...

Trond Kallevåg, Dave McMurray, Bill Laurance, John O'Gallagher & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
December 12, 2025

Whether born in the heart of Detroit, captured in the stillness of a London church at night, or inspired by cinematic visions of Norwegian immigration to Minnesota, the music in this playlist invites you into sound worlds that captivate and reward at every turn.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted ...

Red Garland, Samara Joy, Billy Hart, Mark Sherman & Marilyn Maye

by Joe Dimino
December 7, 2025

We step into the 935th episode of Neon Jazz with unmistakable class and pure showbiz magic courtesy of Kansas City's own vocal icon Marilyn Maye, shining brightly with “Time and Time Again" from the newly remastered 2024 album Interludes. She's gearing up for a heartfelt homecoming at the historic Folly Theater on December 21, 2025--a venue ...

Josie Falbo, Leandro Cardenas, Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet

by Cheryl K.
November 20, 2025

During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music, choice cuts from new releases by saxophonist Lena Bloch; vocalist Josie Falbo; guitarists Tom Ollendorff and Jon Fadem; clarinetist and composer Leandro Cardenas; five decades of studio, demo and live recordings from drummer Gary Husbands' personal archives; the Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet; and multi--reed player Rick ...

Don Was & the Pan-Detroit Ensemble: Nubian Lady

by Ludovico Granvassu
November 12, 2025

Don Was' Groove in the Face of Adversity (Mack Avenue Records) is both a celebration of friendship and positivity in challenging times, and a heartfelt love letter to his hometown. Sneaking out from behind the Blue Note presidential desk for a moment, Was slips back behind the upright bass to shine a light on Detroit's vibrant--yet ...