Since the late ’50s Mark Murphy has been a stalwart of the crooner set. A jazz singer with an exquisite style that pushed the edges and split the critics, making him a real musician’s musician. A contemporary of the Rat Pack and the rock opera with an affinity for the Beats and be-bop, Murphy defied category–freeform vocalese with a rich timbre that let forth expressive colors that were alluring, audacious, and even shocking.
Despite multiple Grammy nods, he was largely relegated to the fringes. Then came the ’80s, Gilles Peterson, the Acid Jazz movement, electronica, London, Japan, Scandinavia, Asia, Europe, the 21st Century and beyond, literally. With new musical freedoms Murphy took the vocal arts light years ahead.
We welcome back Gilles Peterson, who was instrumental in this phase of the singer’s life and career, to share his experiences and shed light on the music that bookended this extraordinary artist’s legacy. Featuring collaborations with 4Hero, United Future Organization, the Five Corners Quintet, and more. Continue Reading …
We’re stoked to welcome back Jaimie Branch to The Major Scale. Rising talents like her are the lifeblood of new music, the road ahead, and even for shows like ours. She continues carving out her sound of dark hued melodic free jazz with Bird Dogs of Paradise, the follow up to Fly Or Die. Now she takes the mic with a blues shout that has a message and musical urgency that hasn’t been heard since the likes of Abbey Lincoln, and Andy Bey. Raise a fist, nod your head.
There’s a worldwide revolution happening in modern music. Across the pond, the UK has countless talents blazing new trails and Yussef Dayes is a big part of it. First as the drummer in the duo Yussef Kamal, and now for his stellar adventures solo and collaborative: Alfa Mist, Tom Misch, and the legendary Blue Note Records. Dayes brings a fusion of soul, electronica, and funk that’s like an ultra modern cinema for the ears.