Innovations in Music

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Paul F. Murphy

Master drummer, Paul F. Murphy, and his apprentice of 12 years, multi- instrumentalist Dominic Fragman, are forging a new style of musical expression.

Oxford has recognized Murphy as a “fuent, compositionally minded master drummer.”

Dominic Fragman Fragman is noted as an unmatched musician. His work as a drummer, guitarist, and vocalist has gained him millions of video views and an international reputation as a “musical genius.”

Murphy and Fragman’s work in the Spirit of Innovation & Freedom has been noted by Oxford as “a new direction in the jazz and art arena.”

www.MurphyFragman.com Paul Murphy and Larry Willis create music that is quite simply hefy . . . the pair’s interaction is tight, unafraid, and thoroughly conscious.” — JazzTimes

“Invention through total improvisation . . . the two musicians suggest they are interacting fully, listening intently and opening themselves to any and every type of possibility” - 4 stars —Downbeat

“In addition to leading pioneering recordings and ensembles, Murphy is also renowned for his innovative approach to the drum set. He is a fuent, compositionally minded master drummer and has performed with numerous musicians across a vast spectrum of genres.” — Oxford’s Grove Dictionary of American Music

“He has subsequently collaborated with the pianist Larry Willis and the poet Jere Carroll, performing works that link the worlds of bebop and the avant garde and have been noted as a new direction in the jazz and art arena.” — Oxford’s Grove Dictionary of American Music

“Murphy developed a formidable technique and gained a high profle owing to a spell with alto saxophonist Jimmy Lyons during which his energetic and dizzyingly fast freeform playing attracted much attention.” — Oxford’s Encyclopedia of Popular Music

“A Kung Fu master of the drums. He [Dominic Fragman] is the next generation of trailblazing drummers and pushes the boundaries of rhythm exploring music from all angles with his instrument and free spirit” — What’s Up Magazine

“His musical talents are unlike any others of his generation.” — Te Mulberry Tree

“Dominic Fragman is on a beat to change the world.” — Te Mulberry Tree

“Pretty Amazing.” — Guitar Player

“A Musical Genius.” — Right Tis Minute TV

www.MurphyFragman.com ` A Lineage of Icons & Innovators Gene Krupa Joseph Leavitt Murphy was introduced to Gene At age 8 Murphy began a 10 year Krupa by his father and went on to tutelage under principal percussionist receive periodic lessons from the iconic of the National Symphony Orchestra drummer. and Director of Peabody Conservatory, Joseph Leavitt.

Louie Bellson Buddy Rich Murphy met Louie Bellson at age 10. Murphy became longtime friends with He took lessons with and attended many renown drummer, Buddy Rich. of Bellson’s clinics. Bellson later asked Murphy to be the premier soloist at his wedding to Francine Bellson.

Billy Taylor Duke Ellington While playing in the band of Duke Duke Ellington bassist, Billy Taylor, Ellington’s bassist, Murphy got to invited Murphy to join his band in meet the Duke and attend the group’s Washington, D.C. at age 17. rehearsals.

Philly Joe Jones As the manager and a regular performer at Ali’s John Coltrane Rashied Ali Alley, Murphy In Manhattan, Murphy managed jazz befriended and club, Ali’s Alley, with John Coltrane’s last performed with tenured drummer, Rashied Ali. numerous jazz Cliford Jordan elite including Philly Joe Jones, Cliford Jordan, Jimmy Lyons was Cecil Cecil Taylor Jimmy Lyons Jaki Byard, and Taylor’s altoist for 23 years. Walter Davis, Jr. Murphy held the drum seat in Lyons’ band for 12 Murphy has released years. Lyons also recorded four duo recordings as a member of Murphy led with renown bebop ensembles at CBS and RCA. pianist Larry Willis. Willis has been on Te ensembles for Dewey Johnson Paul F. Murphy Larry Willis over 300 albums Murphy’s recordings with performance at CBS and RCA and recording included Jimmy credits including Lyons, Mary Anne Jakie Mclean, Te Driscoll, Karen Borca, Adderly Brothers, and Dewey Johnson, Te Blues Brothers, lead trumpeter on Jere Carroll Blood Sweat, and John Contrane’s In 2014, Cecil Taylor Tears, and Wynton pioneering album, invted Dominic Dominic Fragman Marsalis. Ascension. Fragman to perform with him at the state- Te Murphy-Willis Salvador Dalí side award cermoney for recordings include, Jere Carroll, poet laurearte Murphy the Kyoto Award. of the grand opening maintained of the Mary Pickford friendships Teatre at the Library of with iconic Congress. painters, Murphy took on Dominic Fragman as a student in 2009. Tey Joan Miró Salvador Dalí have since founded the Spirit of Jazz & Democracy and the Spirit of and Joan Miró. Innovation & Freedom with Jere Carroll, including performances and recording with the ensemble and the late Larry Willis. Te music of the Spirit of Jazz & Democracy has been recognized as a new direction in jazz and art by Oxford’s Grove Dictionary of American Music.