Saxophonist Mike Murley headlines York University’Äôs Faculty Concert Series

Toronto October 21, 2009: Nationally acclaimed saxophonist Mike Murley steps into the spotlight November 17 at the Tribute Communities Recital Hall as the featured performer in York University’Äôs Faculty Concert Series.

Recognized as one of Canada’Äôs finest jazz talents, Murley is very active as a bandleader, sideman, composer and arranger. He’Äôs an eight-time winner of the Jazz Report’Äôs "saxophonist of the year" distinction, and has nine Juno Award-winning recordings to his credit. A former member of the celebrated ensembles Time Warp and the Shuffle Demons, his performance and recording credits include Metalwood and the Rob McConnell Tentet, collaborations in the Murley/Occhipinti Duo, Murley/Braid Quartet, David Liebman/Mike Murley Quartet and DMBQ, and his own trio, quintet and septet.

Murley’Äôs latest recording as a leader, The Melody Lingers On (CBC Records), features his trio live in concert at Toronto’Äôs Glenn Gould Studio with a 12-piece string ensemble conducted by Rick Wilkins, playing string arrangements by Murley and Reg Schwager. Last year he released two new recordings as a co-leader, DMBQ Live and Day and Night with his former teacher, David Liebman.

Murley is also featured on the recent Bravo! DVD release Solos ’Äì The Jazz Sessions, a 39-episode music performance/profile series that spotlights unaccompanied performances by some of the legends and young stars of the jazz world.

In his York U showcase concert, Murley will be featured in a variety of settings ranging from duo to septet. He will be joined on stage by his fellow faculty members, Music Department Chair Barry Elmes on drums, Oscar Peterson Chair Ron Westray on trombone, Kevin Turcotte on trumpet and Jim Vivian on bass. Guest artists, pianist David Restivo and alto saxophonist Tara Davidson round out the ensemble.

The evening’Äôs playlist includes original compositions as well as jazz standards. Murley will premiere new arrangements of his compositions dedicated to his native Maritime roots and the Bay of Fundy region. Complementing this material will be his adaptation for jazz septet of the traditional Celtic melody Shule Agra.

Murley is an alumnus of York’Äôs Music Department, where he currently heads the jazz studies area. His November 17 concert is the second of five performances in the Faculty Concert Series spotlighting faculty artists in the Department of Music at York University. Upcoming concerts will feature cellist Mark Chambers (Jan. 19), pianist Michael Coghlan (Feb. 2) and jazz drummer Barry Elmes (Mar. 2).

What: Mike Murley headlines York University’Äôs Faculty Concert Series
When: Tues. November 17 at 7:30pm
Where: Tribute Communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Building, York University, 4700 Keele St. [Map]
Admission: single tickets $15, students & seniors $5 | series tickets: three-concert package for $30
Box Office: 416.736.5888 | www.yorku.ca/perform/boxoffice