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Articles about Chris Murphy (Select from below)

• Maple Blues Magazine, May/08

• London Free Press, May 10/08

• Scene Magazine, Sept. 27/07

• London Free Press, Aug.17/06

• London Free Press, Nov.30/05

• London Free Press, Nov.17/05

• London Free Press, Dec/04

• Blues Freepress Online (London, England) Nov/04

• Blues Review Magazine, Nov/04

• London Free Press, Nov/04

• Scene Magazine, Sept/04

• Maple Blues Magazine, May/04

• London This Week, Apr/04

• Scene Magazine, Apr/04

• London Free Press, Jan/03

• Big City Blues Magazine, 2000

• The Communication Centre, Feb/00

• London Free Press, Feb/99

• Real Blues Magazine, Feb/Mar.99

• Scene Magazine, Jan/99

• Crescendo, Feb/99

• Maple Blues Magazine, Feb/99

• London Free Press, Aug/95

• Forest City News,Oct/94

Congratulations to Chris Murphy: back

Maple Blues Magazine, May 2008

Saxman Chris Murphy who's honking tenor sax drives the Maple Blues Band as well as the Jack De Keyzer Band and several other units has been honoured in his home town of London with the 2008 Jack Richardson Music Award for his work with his London outfit, The Village Blues Band. The six-piece band has been performing on Sundays at the Wortley Road House in London for the past 3 years. They are getting set to release a live CD in the coming months. In addition to Chris, the members of the band are some of London's busiest musicians: Ted Leonard, lead vocals and guitar, who has toured with the Maple Blues Band, Johnny Max Band, Pork Belly Futures, Paul Reddick and the Sidemen (Ted was a long-time member of the Juno award-winning band Fathead); Ryan Spong lead vocals and bass (also tours with the Chris Chown Band and Pleasure Shop); Ted Peacock on drums ( also leads his own band Soul Bender and has toured and recorded with Big Daddy G); Marty Verweel, Trumpet who has also been the leader of the band Soul Sausage for the past 30 years and Troy Neeb , tenor and alto saxophones who also performs with the jazz group Floating Point. For more information on The Jack Richardson Music Awards visit www.jrma.ca. For further information on Chris Murphy and the Village Blues Band go to www.chrismurphysax.com

Chris Murphy plays Aeolian Hall back

James Reaney - London Free Press, May 10, 2008

London sax player and singer Chris Murphy brings an all-star lineup to Aeolian Hall tonight for a trip down music's memory lane. "I'm know for doing electric blues and this is going to be acoustic jazz". The band includes his father, London Music Hall of Famer and clarinetist Phil Murphy. Before forming his on blues band in 1985, Chris Murphy often performed acoustic jazz with his quartet, the Forest City Jazz Band and the Phil Murphy Big Band. Pianist Grant Graham played with Chris Murphy's quartet in that era. Others in the band tonight include Chatham guitarist Tom Lockwood. Now, Chris Murphy tours with Canadian blues star Jack de Keuzer. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door of the 795 Dindas St hall. Call 519- 672-7950 Concert time is 8 p.m.

Scene Magazine back

Scene Magazine September 27, 2007

Londoner Chris Murphy has won numerous awards for his sax playing and has now added another feather to his musical fedora....movie star! You have to look quickly but Murphy plays Tonight Show saxophonist Tommy Newsom in the new Don Cheadle film, Talk To Me. The critically acclaimed biopic tells the story of Washington D.C. radio talk host and comedian Petey Green. To prepare for the roll Murphy had to grow some 60's appropriate sideburns. Unfortunately, his new movie star staus hasn't paid off with any phone calls from Angelina or Paris, but he did get to sit next to Martin Sheen at lunch.

Elegant blues fest in vineyard setting back

Herman Goodden, Special to The London Free Press, August 17, 2006

When London saxophonist Chris Murphy isn't playing -- he led the horn section when Aretha Franklin played the John Labatt Centre and has worked with Natalie Cole and toured with the Temptations -- he dons his other hat as a talent co-ordinator.
For years Murphy booked the acts at Old Chicago's and for the last half-dozen summers he has arranged the playbill for one of the region's most elegant music festivals -- the Reds, Whites and Blues Festival held at a vineyard north of Sparta.

"This is Southwestern Ontario at its finest," Murphy says. "The vineyard at Quai du Vin is the most beautiful setting for a concert. We usually get about 1,100 people. People sit on the hill and bring their lunches."

The first act up is Harrison Kennedy's Acoustic Duo. Kennedy became quite famous in the '70s as lead vocalist with the Chairmen of the Board, who scored a hit on Motown with Give Me Just a Little More Time. In the Acoustic Duo, he teams up with another guitarist for a mix of Detroit soul, southern gospel and Latin shuffle.

Second on the bill is the legendary Alberta Adams, Detroit's queen of the blues, backed by R. J. Spangler and the Rhythm Rockers.

"Alberta was one of the first artists ever signed to Chess Records, which was the big Chicago blues label in the early days of electric blues," Murphy says. "She sang with the great Duke Ellington, who ran one of the most sophisticated of the big bands, and she also sang with T-Bone Walker, who was the first great blues musician to take up the electric guitar. She worked a lot around Detroit in the '40s with John Lee Hooker. I've toured with her before. She's amazing."

Murphy warns that Adams' lyrics deal with "some pretty raunchy, sexual innuendo kind of stuff that younger singers wouldn't have a chance of pulling off."

The third act is keyboardist and arranger Lance Anderson's Tribute to Ray Charles. Anderson has outfitted this show with two of the country's finest and most supple blues singers, John Mays and Shakura S'Adia. The audience can expect one of the most impressive repertoires in all of contemporary music.

To close out in raucous style, Murphy chose the Tom Lockwood Band from Chatham. "They put on a great show. They're more of a traditional Canadian bar band with a wonderful mix of blues and R and B."

Happy Guy Gets Happier back

Jamie Vandermoer, London This Week, Nov 30, 2005

I've often called London sax player Chris Murphy the hardest workin' guy in blues.

A good friend for years, I still can't keep track of his schedule. Whether it's fronting his own band or backing up somebody else, Murphy's datebook is busier than a Vegas hooker during convention season. So it's no wonder that he was once again nominated for a Maple Blues Award.

This marks the sixth time Murphy has been on the Maple Blues ballot. (The Maple Blues Awards are presented by the Toronto Blues Society, the largest blues association in Canada.)

So what does this mean for you? Well, do the man a favour and head to www.mapleblues.ca and vote for the guy, wouldja? If you've ever seen a local blues band you've probably seen Murphy in his trademark hat and red boots belting out the tunes with the abandon of a dizzy 12-year old.

And while you're at it , pick up a copy of his CD, I'm a Happy Guy, on the Speakeasy label. Now that's being a pal.

Watson, Murphy among blues nominees back

THE LONDON FREE PRESS - Nov 17, 2005

Former London singer Dawn Tyler Watson and London sax player Chris Murphy are among Maple Blues nominees. Watson, based in Quebec, is nominated in the entertainer of the year and female vocalist categories. Murphy is up for the horn player award. Garrett Mason, son of Canadian blues legend Dutch Mason, leads the nominees with nods in six categories. Online fan voting, via www.mapleblues.ca, determines the winners to be announced at a Toronto gala Jan 16. The Maple Blues are Canada's national award program that promotes and recognizes outstanding achievement in blues music.

LONDON'S TOP 10 HIT LIST JUST SINGS back

James Reaney The London Free Press - Sunday December 26,2004

The 2004 London hit parade can stand with any years's best from the Forest City.

The personal Top 10 includes sparkling debuts, always vital veterans and performers with international reputations.

My thanks to all the London music community folks who sent along the dozens of fine CD's. It was a pleasure listening to them and trying to narrow the sonic bounty down to this list.

The 10 that strike my soul and ears as the best are listed by artist, title and where appropriate, label. Most of them are indie efforts and should be available at local independent retailers.

CHRIS MURPHY: I'M A HAPPY GUY (Speakeasy)

The London sax player and vocalist has a fine blues party going. The guest list includes guitarists Jack de Keyzer and Terry Lee; Chris' dad, Phil Murphy on alto sax and London singer Denise Pelley. Another plus in keeping the Happy Guy on the move is having legendary producer Jack Richardson at the party controls.

HAPPY GUYS: Chris Murphy's I'm a Happy Guy makes James Reaney a happy reviewer of London's best releases in 2004

(Review) Blues Freepress Online - Nov 2004 back
http://www.bluesfreepress.org/Reviews.htm
Tim Holek - Freelance Journalist/Photographer
www.timholekblues.ca

Chris Murphy
"I’m A Happy Guy"
Speakeasy Records 3007

London Ontario’s Chris Murphy has kept the Blues beat alive for more than 20 years. This acclaimed saxophonist was the first recipient of the Jimmy Lewis Lifetime Of Blues Award 2003. Chris is a Bluesman at heart but he blows through the 12 bar barrier on this active 60 minute set. On it, you also get big band swing, funk, Latin rock & smooth jazz. Murphy won’t be remembered for his bland vocals so he wisely includes 9 exciting instrumentals & 2 powerful guest vocalists. Janalynne Rogers’ sassy & sexy vocals on "Do I Want You Back" should be burning up the pop/soul charts. The 15 track disc (four were penned by Chris) shows the extraordinary talent of the 17 musicians involved. Many of them are Canada’s best Blues artists. In particular, Jack de Keyzer & Terry Lee’s guitars are stylish & Michael Fonfara’s keys are mesmerizing. Ultimately, the CD is about Murphy & his army of horns. The formulas for these songs tend to repeat but what’s wrong in sticking with a good thing? Feeling stressed & needing some reflexology? Forget that . . . with this relaxing music, you are guaranteed to be happy.

(Review) Blues Review Magazine - Nov 2004 back
Blues Bites - Tom Hyslop - Salem WV.

Chris Murphy
"I’m A Happy Guy"
Speakeasy Records 3007

London Ontario, saxophonist Chris Murphy leads a brassy big band on the invigorating I'm a Happy Guy (Speakeasy 3007). Bill Heid's "Saxman" jumps hard courtesy of the horn charts and Michael Fonfara's piano. "Picante Blues" runs Junior Walker's "Cleo's Mood" through a slasa wash; and guest vocalist Jannalynne Rogers' "Do I Want You Back" gives the set an intensely dramatic ballad. Among the covers, "Soulful Strut" gets a smooth treatment and Ace Cannon's "Tuff" lets Murphy and Fonfara (on B-3) show off excellent phrasing and tone. Though the music is excellent, the lead guitar tones fail to cut through due to rock-style distortion ("Soulful Strut" and "Blues in the Closet" provide wonderful exceptions), and the recording often sounds too modern and in-your-face to suit its classic grooves.

London sax player gets blues nod
- Nov 2004 back
London Free Press

Once again, sax player Chris Murphy carries London's hopes into the Maple Blues Awards. Murphy has been nominated for the fifth time in the best horn player category, which includes sax. The nominations were released yesterday.

The eighth awards gala will be held Jan. 17 at Toronto's Phoenix Concert Theatre.

Murphy is sure to be at the ceremony as a returning member of the Maple Blues Revue, an all-star outfit that plays at the awards each year.

Former Londoner Lance Anderson is up for best piano/keyboard player and Toronto-based band Fathead, which includes guitarist Teddy Leonard, is nominated as best electric act.
Entertainer of the year nominees are David Gogo, Jack deKeyzer (in whose band Murphy plays), Matt Minglewood and Dawn Tyler Watson, another former Londoner.

The winners will be chosen by fans through online voting at www.mapleblues.ca until Dec 15.

Jack de Keyzer's blues love affair back
Scene Magazine Sept 30, 2004 - Richard Moule

(starting at paragraph #12)

While 6 String Lover is a powerhouse record fuelled by de Keyzer's impeccable virtuosity, it only hints at his smoking live show. A recent addition to his touring band is well-know forest City saxophonist/promoter Chris Murphy.

"At the beginning of the summer I asked Chris if he would be interested in doing all the dates with us and luckily for me, he said, "Yes". He's been such an amazing asset to the band and is such a consummate musician. He' really into a lot of the same music as I am. Yeah, I think he's one of the top sax player in Canada." (quote from Jack de Keyzer)

John's Blues Picks - May 2004 back
Maple Blues Magazine - John Valentine

Chris Murphy I'm a Happy Guy Speakeasy 3007

This year's Maple Blues Awards Band featured London's Chris Murphy on his tenor sax and now his second CD is available for your consideration. Produced by the legendary Jack Richardson, I'm a Happy Guy features a who's who of Ontario players supporting his usual blend of masterful, funky, jazzy instrumentals and well-chosen vocals. A sort-of basic band (this CD appears to have been assembled from a few sessions) is Jack de Keyzer and Terry Lee on guitars, Gary Kendall on bass and Darcy Ura or Jim Casson on drums. "Hit It" and "No Junk, Just Fonk" are the fine opening instrumentals, followed by an instrumental version of Elmore James' "Talk To Me Baby" with Terry Lee's guitar taking the lead. London's Denise Pelley gets the vocal honours on Bill Heid's "Saxman". I've heard her sing some jazz but on this one she shows she should sing much more blues. The second half of the program slows things down a bit with some 50's style R&B sax-led ballads. In the past couple of months, three CD's with sax players as leaders have graced my player and I must say it's a nice change.

Sax player couldn't be happier back

Jamie Vandermoer, London This Week, April 21, 2004

Chris Murphy has good reason to be happy. His new CD, I'm a Happy Guy, was just released last week on Speakeasy Records. Meanwhile, his show Friday night at Downtown Kathy Brown's on Dundas Street played to a capacity crowd.

I'm a Happy Guy is Murphy's second solo CD. It has the sax man working with many guest performers including London's Janalynne Rogers and Denise Pelley. Guitarist Terry Lee also performs on the album as does Juno award winner Jack DeKeyzer.

Often said to be the hardest-working musician in the city, Murphy's show kicked off a promotional tourfor I'm a Happy Guy. It will have him on the road almost nightly between now and July, however that is not much different from his regular routine. Murphy is usually on the road playing shows about 200 nights a year.

For much of the 1990's, Murphy played with the Old Chicago Blues Band then branched off on his own, touring solo or with other accomplished musicians like Jack DeKeyzer. In all 17 different musicians lend a hand in the songs on Happy Guy. Legendary producer Jack Richardson, who produced many Guess Who albums, worked as producer on the recording.

Murphy visits his old stomping ground this weekend playing with the current Old Chicago house band Friday and Saturday.

Scene Magazine back

Scene Magazine April 15, 2004
  John "The Razor" Sharpe

Chris Murphy · I'm A Happy Guy. (Speakeasy)
With a big sax sound reminiscent of Stanley Turrentine. Gene Ammons and Grover Washington, Chris Murphy may be the most versatile, hardest workin' musician in London. Always on the go, Murphy is constantly touring, whether with his own group or as a sideman for others. I'm A Happy Guy, his second release as a solo artist, contains 15 tracks of funky R&B and saxophone-driven party music. Produced by the legendary Jack Richardson, I'm A Happy Guy includes contributions from such noted sidemen as guitarists Terry Lee and Jack DeKeyzer, keyboard veteran Michael Fonfara and bassist Gary Kendall. And let's not forget the work of fine London artists like Denise Pelley, Don DiCarlo, Janalynne Rogers, Marty Verweel and Murphy's dad, Phil. With musical friends like this, it's no wonder Murphy's a happy guy.
- John Sharpe B

Editor's Note: I'm A Happy Guy will be released on April 16, 9:00 p.m. at Downtown Kathy Brown 's. Cover: $5.

London Free Press back

Blues Award Honours Murphy
The London Free Press - Sunday January 26, 2003

London sax player Chris Murphy is the first winner of the Jimmy Lewis life-time of blues award.

The honour was announced as part of the Firehall Reunion concert and celebration at Centennial Hall last night.

Murphy has been a strong voice for the London blues scene, leading his own band and sitting in with other groups. He's also heard on CD's including his own album, Blowin' the Horn, and on CHRW FM radio, where he co-hosts, "The Blues Never Die" a show devoted to blues.

The award is named for Jimmy Lewis, a bass player and longtime member of the London blues scene who died last year.

Big City Blues Magazine back

CHRIS MURPHY BLOWIN’ THE HORN SPEAKEASY #3006
By Mark A. Cole, Big City Blues Magazine, Detroit MI 2000

The lively upbeat character of Chris Murphy’s music will kick ya in the rear and getcha goin’! Blowin’ The Horn is a contemporary jazz/blues collection of smart high-keyed, uptempoed selections. Opening with his own, “Lost in the Shuffle” and moving into Bill Heid’s “Blowin’ The Horn”, Murphy takes us on a horn-led, jump excursion. It leads through funkland with stuff like War’s “Lowrider” and Maurice J. Vaughn’s “Everything I Do Has Got To Be Funky” and then into contempo-jazz riffs on “Bluesona Slonite” and his closing “Orange Brandy”.

This Canadian crew is cookin’ throughout: Murphy’ alto, tenor, and baritone sax’s and his substantially ranged vocals are backed by two groups. The first includes Gary Kendall on bass, Michael Fonfara on keys, Steve Grisbrook on guitars, Jim Casson on drums and Phil Murphy’s help on alto sax on one tune. The vocals of Richard Knight, Kenn Allison, and Chuck Jackson are also heard. The second group included Doug Varty on guitar and keyboards, John Knapp on drums, Colin Stewart on bass, and Chris Murphy on sax and organ. Geoff Dahl helped on “Lowrider” with bass and vox, also.

Saxophone blues and jazz of highest caliber. Take horns to heart. Cleverly interchanged leads and great melodies. These north-of the border blues have what it takes. A brilliant production by Kendall and Fonfara with over fifty minutes of illuminous material.

The Communication Centre back

Blowin' The Horn - Chris Murphy
Speakeasy CDs - 1999 - 12 tracks

Review Written: February 18, 2000

With an agricultural economy which has evolved to become centred around a respected university community and major financial head offices, London, Ontario, Canada may not be where most people would expect to nurture hard-edged, rootsy blues. Yet, London is home to a number of Canada's finest blues artists. Of these, sax man Chris Murphy is a prime example.

On Blowin' The Horn, Murphy's blues has a decidedly big-band sound. The sound rambles through a range of styles, from true electric blues to the solid R & B sound that Alan Freed dubbed Rock and Roll to sixties rock and even something approaching forty's swing. What holds it all together is a driving energy. If it is nothing else, this is music that makes one want to dance.

When he's not wailing on the sax, Murphy sings. In this, as in the music backing him, Murphy demonstrates a versatility that is refreshing. Sometimes, as in "Let's Straighten It Out," Murphy's voice and style is reminiscent of Robert Cray, bringing an authentic blues sound to the music. At other times, he evokes the sound of a variety of blues styles. Other songs, like "Last Call for Alcohol" are hard-driving Rock and Roll. In fact, the title song sounds more like the kind of Rock and Roll made famous by Bill Haley and his Comets in the early fifties.

With some singers, especially those just starting out, this diversity of voice and singing style might be seen as problematic. The listener might consider that the singer had not yet found his or her distinctive voice. In Murphy's release, though, he shows a confidence in his singing that suggests that rather than seeking his own voice, he's simply honouring influences. Chris Murphy is a chameleon of the blues, changing his hue to suit the song being sung.

This release, however, is not about singing and not about lyrics. It's all about the groove. A rarity among contemporary releases, Blowin' the Horn is built around the instrumental talents of the players. Five of the songs have no singing at all. The rest feature long instrumental sections that allow the musicians to jam.

The finishing touch is put to many of these songs by Michael Fonfara on keys (Hammond organ and piano), providing the perfect complement to Murphy's sax work.

The overall consistency of this release is a credit to Chris Murphy and his producers. The cuts on Blowin' The Horn were recorded in four studios. Often, such an arrangement will lead to a mixed and inconsistent sound, yet the producers of Blowin' The Horn have managed to avoid this pitfall, creating a product where all the songs seem to have been made for each other.

The dozen songs on this release, many of them quite long, provide excellent value for the money. But it gets better. This is a baker's dozen, with a great thirteenth cut, a lively rendering of "I Ain't Drunk," tucked in at the end of the set.

Real Blues Magazine back

Real Blues, Feb/Mar 1999, Victoria BC.
  By Tim Holek

A new blues club called Boomerz has opened in London and they are booking national touring acts from Canada and the U.S. Canada's blues band, Downchild, hosted the grand opening before a packed house. Our good friend Chris Murphy is booking the entertainment at the club so we can be sure to catch the best in the blues. Murhpy's debut CD "Blowin the Horn" was released on January 25th. It was produced by Michael Fonfara and Gary Kendall both of Downchild. I was fortunated to get an advance copy and let me tell you the CD is loaded with a great mix of blues, funk and smooth jazz. Chris Murphy is, of course, the former sax-man and leader of the Old Chicago Blues Band. They were the house band at the Old Chicago Speakeasy and performed 3 shows a night, 5 nights a week for more than 5 years. During that time the band released 2 CD's. Since leaving the band in 1998, Chris has the touring the U.S. and Canada as the bandleader for Chicago Pete. Murphy proudly admits that Pete is his mentor. In fact, Chicago Pete's "The Blues Is Alright" CD was produced by Chris and was released on his independent Speakeasy label. Murphy's solo debut CD follows the rech tradition of "party blues" bands such as Powder Blues, David Wilcox and Downchild. This is the type of blues that makes you want to get up and dance. You simply can't listen to this CD without some part of your body starting to move and keep to the beat of the music. The tune "Flat Feet" is a prime example. I really enjoy his version of Bill Heid's "Blowin the Horn." "Juice for Junior" is anothe little ditty with a great groove. I'm sure the humorous "Last Call For Alcohol" is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The backing band is superb (most notably Michael Fonfara on keys) and they get to have their share of the Spotlight too. Chris brought his Uptown Blooze band to the Parkview Tavern in Chatham for a pre-release party. This version of Uptown Blooze consisted of Tim Tyler (drums), Doug Eyre (bass and vocals) and Terry Lee (guitar). The set-lists include blues standards but grew larger and louder as the band ripped through "Everything I Do Has Got To Be Funky,""Honey Bee" and the CD's title track. Chris' sax solo's and Terry Lee's outstanding guitar work on his Gibson ES-335 stole the show. For more info, check out the Speakeasy CD website. It can be found at www.execulink.com/~speakeasy.

Scene Magazine January 14,1999
  John "The Razor" Sharpe

Chris Murphy plays a mean Sax and has earned a reputation as a crowd-pleaser. His debut CD Blowin' The Horn includes swinging blues, funky R&B dance grooves and humorous barroom party tunes. The title track features hot saxophone solo's by both Chris and his father Phil Murphy, who recently placed on the Mayor's Honour list for 1998.

From the President's Pen by Paul Sharpe   Crescendo, London Musicians' Association, Feb /99

Another well known Murphy family member is making his own waves. Chris Murphy has just released his debut solo CD titled “Blowin’ The Horn”. This fine effort includes musical support from area musicians Colin Stewart, Doug Varty, John Knapp, Kenn Allison, Geoff Dahl, and Phil Murphy; as well as a number of prominent Toronto based musicians. Chris has been a member of our Local since 1982 and like his father before him, has served as a member of the Executive Board.

Maple Blues Magazine back

New Releases by John Valenteyn   Toronto Blues Society Maple Blues Magazine, Feb /99

Chris Murphy has been a mainstay of the London blues scene for quite a while now - his Speakeasy Productions encompasses booking, promotion, management and recordings; he plays tenor sax and keyboards with The Old Chicago Blues Band, taking the occasional vocal and he also co-hosts a popular local blues radio show. His label has CD's by Chicago Pete, two by the band and one from up & coming guitar ace Chris Chown. With Blowin' The Horn, he steps out front. Produced by Gary Kendall (also on bass) & Michael Fonfara (also featured on B3), the album will be a delight for fans of '50's honking R&B. The highlights for me are the instrumentals - "Lost In The Shuffle", "Juice For Junior" (for Jr. Walker), "Happy Guy" (with Fonfara on piano), the wonderfully-named "Bluesona Slonite" with music (and bass solo) by Gary Kendall and "Orange Brandy" with only Murphy on tenor & Fonfara on piano. In addition to Fonfara & Kendall, the band includes Steve Grisbrook on guitar and Jim Casson on drums. Three of the remaining songs are from Old Chicago Blues Band sessions, with Richard Knight & Doug Varty on vocals, although the liner notes are a little confusing here; and there are 13 songs, not 12.

SINGING THE BLUES A GOOD GIG IN LONDON back

MANY LOCAL MUSICIANS ARE MAKING A LINING PLAYING FOR LOYAL FANS AROUND THE CITY

IAN GILLESPIE LONDON FREE PRESS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER

AUGUST 12, 1995

Chris Murphy is one of many local musicians who has managed to make his living from the blues. The son of local jazz musician Phil, Murphy pays saxophone, keyboards and sings with the Old Chicago Blues Band.

"Maybe the local (blues) scene exists because the musicians just willed it," says Murphy. "A lot of us didn't give up.

"I think it's stronger now than it's ever been. And there were never as many guys living in London making a living."

Murphy reels off a list of local blues players, including Tim Woodcock, Doug Varty, Douglas Watson and the Hot Flames, Margaret Stowe, The Untouchables, Kenn Allison, Ben Shane, Chris Trowell, Larry Smith and Al Carter.

"For me, it's really honest music. If you play the music honestly, then it's correct. So it's really open to your individual way of doing it."

And it examines everyday issues such as love and money (or lack therof), but the blues isn't necessarily melancholy.

A good example, says Murphy is when B.B. King sings "Nobody loves me but my mother." That's the heavy statement, which is then immediately undercut by a light-hearted lampoon: "And she could be jiving too."

And unlike alternative rock, blues isn't played only by skinny 19-year-olds. And the fans are older,too.

"Sometimes you stand on stage and you'll see a 50-year-old woman dancing
beside a 22-year-old," says Murphy. "It doesn't appeal to everybody, but the people who like really like it."

The blues started in Chicago but in London they live through Chris Murphy .

Playing the Blues by Wayne Glidden   The Forest City News Oct/94

The blues were born in Chicago, and are living on in London at the Old Chicago Speakeasy. Don't be dissuaded by its description as a melancholic derivative of black folk music. It's upbeat, energetic, and it's easy to tell that the boys on stage are loving it. Doug Varty on guitar, Colin Stewart on bass, John Knapp on drums, and Chris Murphy blowing the sax, while occasionally tickling the electronic ivories.

Murphy's been playing for 22 years, previously hitting the road for six years with the Uptown Blooze. A one night stand at Old Chicago has turned into a 27 month (and counting) gig as the house band.

"We like it here and they like us", says Murphy, as evidenced by the raucous packed house one night last week. London is a very good blues town, and the style is the "biggest it's ever been" says Murphy. Last week, the feature was Douglas Watson, a blues singer from Chicago (right now he and the band are kicking up a pulsating tune by the Reverend Al Green). Will they wear out their welcome? "Probably," says Murphy, "but the line-ups are bigger than ever".

Other former Murphy bands include the Forest City Blues Band and Soul Sausage. He's happy to be settled down in his native London, after years of setting up, tearing down, and travelling on the road.

"(Touring) takes up a lot of time. A lot of driving, setting up, tearing down," he says. "(We can) learn a lot of songs here."

Finding gigs has never been a problem.

"I've been really lucky. I've always played and always played a lot," he says. "Every band I got in worked a lot. They always want us back."

While Murphy is courteous and forthcoming in an interview, the litmus test of his makeup is best seen on the stage, with the bright lights gleaming, and the floor speakers thundering. Inhibitions are scattered, and he plays the room with song intros, and a touch of vocals, but mostly with his wailing sax, which, as usual in blues, is almost totally improvised. "Everything's fun," he says, a point obvious from watching him on stage.

There seems to be a market for the live version of their music. Chris is making a living doing what he loves and what he does best. London's where it's at for him.

"I'm only going to leave when nothing's happening, and something's always happening," say Chris.

For proof, drop by the Old Chicago Speakeasy almost any night, and catch he and his bandmates in the act. You may just become hooked on the blues.

Back to the top

Playing the blues is such a natural fit for Chris Murphy that it's almost as if the music picked him, rather than the other way around

By IAN GILLESPIE, London Free Press

It was 1971. Chris Murphy was 17 years old. And the London musician was doing just about the unhippest, uncoolest, downright dorkiest thing he could possibly imagine -- playing swing tunes with a bunch of over-the-hill guys for an audience of 50- and 60-year-olds.

"When I was playing swing music, I wished I was playing in a band that was doing Chicago Transit Authority or Blood Sweat and Tears and playing for people my own age," recalls Murphy. Then he laughs.

"Now, the swing thing is hip!"

Murphy's early dabbling with something that seemed to epitomize the height of unhipness has paid off. These days, the son of longtime London bandleader Phil Murphy has established himself as one of the top blues blowers in Canada.

He has just released a new album (Blowin' the Horn), he runs his own record label (Speakeasy CDs), he performs regularly on a blues circuit that includes London, Toronto and Detroit, he co-hosts a regular radio show (Blues Never Die on CHRW 94.7 FM) and his resume boasts production credits for albums by artists such as Chicago Pete and local blues guitar prodigy Chris Chown.

And all of it started when, as a teenager, Murphy traded his clarinet for a saxophone.

"When guys in the third-string bands needed a sax player, they'd give me a chance because of who my dad was," says Murphy. "It's sort of like if you were Wayne Gretzky's kid and somebody needed somebody to play junior C hockey; they'd say, 'Give that kid a chance.'

"The first time I went out and played in a band, they gave me $65," recalls Murphy. "I was a Grade 12 student, I was five feet tall and weighed 90 pounds and all my buddies were working in grocery stores for 90 cents an hour. Then they asked me to come back the next week for Friday and Saturday and I came home with $130.

"And then I started thinking, 'Man, this beats working.' So I started working pretty hard at the music."

After cutting his teeth with some local swing bands, Murphy played with Soul Sausage and the Forest City Jazz Band before forming Uptown Blooze in 1986. Until about 18 months ago, he led the house band at Old Chicago's Speakeasy and Grill.

A number of London nightclubs feature blues bands, including Other Side, Clydes, Suz Blues House, Refried Dreams, Wortley Roadhouse and Boomerz.

Murphy says the preponderance of London blues clubs -- a tradition that extends back to Brian Mortimer's commitment to the genre at the Old Firehall and Leadbelly's -- has helped raised the bar when it comes to the technical skills of local blues musicians.

"There were all these gigs for years, where London musicians would back up American singers," Murphy says. "When I was at Old Chicago's, I backed up 50 different singers and they were all good. And you learn stuff from all of them.

"It makes you quite a different musician than if you'd been living in Quebec City and played in one band with the same four guys, maybe doing the same songs for five or six years."

Murphy also credits his father -- now 70 and recently honoured with a Mayor's Award for his contribution to London's arts scene -- with imparting some lasting lessons about how to survive as a professional musician.

"He taught me that what I was involved in was a profession -- it

wasn't just a hobby," says Murphy. "And that if I acted professionally, people would pay me for my time and I could actually end up doing okay.

"And just learning that the music was more important than the party, as far as having a career goes. If you're Eric Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughan, you can put the party first and it's going to work out for you. But those guys are one in a million. For most of the people in the industry, it's all about showing up on time and doing what's expected of you."

A full-time professional musician for 21 years who now supports his wife and their seven-year-old daughter with his horn, Murphy has clearly been doing what's expected -- and more. And most of the time, what he's been doing is the blues.

Why?

"I just always liked that kind of music and I just always played that way. I'm not sure I had that much say about it. To me, it's sort of like, some people like pepper on their mashed potatoes. Why would that be?

"The blues just always moved me and lucky for me, what I liked was also what I was good at."

Murphy holds high hopes for his new, nationally distributed album. Recorded in London, Stratford and Toronto, Blowin' the Horn features a mix of original and traditional tunes and was co-produced by keyboardist Michael Fonfara, who has played with Lou Reed, Foreigner and, more recently, Downchild Blues Band.

But in the end, it all comes down to a musical celebration of everyday highs and lows.

"(Blues) is about how you feel and how you're expressing yourself," Murphy says. "It's going to tell me a story and it's not the same every night."

And no -- the blues ain't necessarily sad.

"I think it's about release," he says.

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Chris Murphy

The album: Chris Murphy: Blowin' the Horn (Speakeasy CDs, Festival Distribution)

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