“ Jim Murray is an excellent musician and a great trumpet player. Performing with him is always a pleasure. ”
– Allen Vizzutti International Trumpet Soloist
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“You are my ideal lead trumpet player. Beautiful sound, great musical instincts and style plus great chops.”
– Chris Jaudes, New York lead player on Broadway, Faculty member at Juilliard School (jazz studies)
“I had the pleasure to play with Jim Murray at the 2008 ITG in Canada. Jim played the lead book in the big band concert accompanying me and some monster players including Doc Severinsen, Allen Vizzutti and Walter White.... and he really sounded terrific! He never stopped blowing double high Gs for the whole night and rehearsals with a huge, big sound! He had amazing chops and a great personality while leading the section with a perfect jazz idiom. And last but not least, he is also a very nice and friendly guy! I truly hope to meet him again soon!”
– Andrea Tofanelli
Yamaha Artist/Clinician
Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Improvisation at the “Orazio Vecchi” Institute of Music (Modena, Italy)
Conductor and Professor of Jazz Music Ensembles at the “L. Boccherini” Institute of Music (Lucca, Italy)
Artistic Director of the Dean Benedetti Jazz Festival (Italy)
“You have a great set of chops and an even better work ethic -- two things that are so important to your success as a lead player.”
– Dave Jackson, Lead Trumpet, Canadian Forces Reserve Band Inspector, Ottawa, and Ontario
The Journey
Hailed as one of Canada’s top lead trumpet players, Jim Murray has been actively playing in the professional music scene for over 15 years. Back then as a relatively ”young guy“ in the business, Jim began his career playing solo / lead trumpet in A Band of Outriders, and a community band which he also assistant directed under Dave Jones. He soon earned himself a place as a substitute in Prime Time Big Band and went on to gain his current position as lead trumpet with the band.
Collaborations
Jim has had the privilege of working with some of the industry’s best including Doc Severinsen , Wayne Bergeron , Bobby Shew , Allen Vizzutti , Chris Jaudes , Andrea Tofanelli , Jens Lindemann , Dominic Spera , Gary Guthman , Adam Rapa , Igrid Jensen , Sean Jones , Chase Sanborn , Mike Herriott , Dave Jackson , Greg Bush , and Wycliffe Gordon.
When called upon, Jim adds his talent on lead trumpet to many groups and shows in and around Calgary on a regular basis. Some of these groups / shows include: The Temptations , Josh Groban , Jann Arden , Petula Clark , Little Anthony and the Imperials , Paul Wertico , The Full Monty , Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra POPS shows , Mocking Shadows , and Eric Friedenberg Big Band.
Recent News
Playing with some of the great trumpet players in the World at the International Trumpet Guild (ITG) held in Banff will be one of the highlights of his career. What a great group of guys! All so nice and humble. Then seeing Wayne Bergeron again and becoming better friends with him just continues to blow Jim away. They stay in contact and talk regularly. It shows what a GREAT man Wayne is, and somehow his playing is even better than that. Jim also became an Endorsing Artist for the Wedge Mouthpieces. This mouthpiece has made a huge difference in Jim’s playing in a relatively short period of time. Much improved range, better core, and effortless feel are just some of the benefits. He is honoured to endorse this wonderful product. Check them out at www.wedgemouthpiece.com.
Patience
Jim is finding his hard work is paying off as he has recently had a number of calls for recording gigs. His resume includes recordings with the Heebee- Jeebees and most recently a session with Calgary’s own, Jann Arden. You can also hear Jim playing lead trumpet on Prime Time’s new album ”…for our Friends“.