Birdly Serenade David Murray Quartet

• 1 Birdly Serenade 05:23
• 2 Bald Ego 07:01
• 3 Song Of The World (for Mixashawn Rozie) 09:43
• 4 Black Bird's Gonna Lite Up The Night 08:57
• 5 Nonna's Last Flight 07:20
• 6 Capistrano Swallow 04:24
• 7 Bird's The Word 07:52
• 8 Oiseau de paradis 10:29
• Total Runtime 01:01:09

Info for Birdly Serenade

Birdly Serenade, Murray’s Impulse! Records debut, is a collection of new compositions inspired by the original improvisers: birds. Murray has teased two tracks from the album thus far, “Birdly Serenade” featuring vocalist Ekep Nkwelle, and “Capistrano Swallow.” The latter was inspired by time spent in Upstate New York and various birds he’s encountered.

Discussing the title track for Birdly Serenade, Murray said: “The opener is one that features the lyrics and poetry of Francesca Cinelli which inspired the rhythms of the entire album. This collaboration gave me wings to connect to birds and to Randall Poster’s Bird Song Project.” Further describing the collaboration with Cinelli, Murray shared that “the rhythm of the words dictated the melody. You leave them on the piano for a few days, and next thing they turn into a song.”

The track is sung by rising vocalist Ekep Nkwelle. “She is so fresh, and I think she brings a lot to the song and to the lyrics,” Murray says. Nkwelle also sings “Song of the World,” which is dedicated to Indigenous musician and activist Mixashawn Rozie, who happened to be at the residency alongside David and Cinelli. Cinelli herself can be heard on the album’s closer, reciting her poem until she and Murray reach a climactic, cathartic conclusion.

The album marks Murray’s first time recording at the storied Van Gelder Studio and his second recording alongside the all-star trio of pianist Marta Sánchez, bassist Luke Stewart, and drummer Russell Carter, following Francesca, an homage to Cinelli.

The album is also the latest installment in the Grammy award-winning Birdsong Project, produced by Randall Poster and Stewart Lerman. The project has already featured work by everyone from Yo Yo Ma to Mark Ronson to The Flaming Lips. The Birdsong Project has emerged as an active and influential cultural force in the world of bird conservation, collaborating with the National Audubon Society and other partners including the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Obey Giant/Shepard Fairey, The Aspen Center For Environmental Studies, and Two Thirds For The Birds.

David Murray’s prodigious output and ambitious vision have made him one of jazz’s most influential figures. His career spans decades, with hundreds of albums and performances across the globe. He has played with jazz legends like McCoy Tyner and James Blood Ulmer, and co-founded the acclaimed World Saxophone Quartet. Recognized with numerous awards, including a GRAMMY and the prestigious Guggenheim Award, Murray’s versatility and willingness to bridge the gap between avant-garde and classic jazz traditions have made him a true elder statesman of the genre.

Jazz legend David Murray is back with the next generation of geniuses. - Washington Post

David Murray, the master saxophonist who has reconciled the whole history of jazz tenor, from swing to free, during a wildly prolific career. - NYTimes

Several of his recordings are among the benchmark achievements in the postmodern era and others attest to a consistency that is rare in any era […] No musician personifies better than David Murray the dilemma of reconciling jazz’s family values and the claims of autonomy. - Gary Giddins

David Murray, saxophones
Marta Sánchez, piano
Luke Stewart, double bass
Russell Carter, drums
Ekep Nkwelle, vocals (tracks 1, 3)
Francesca Cinelli, vocals (track 8)

David Murray
Since he arrived in NY in 1975, David Murray established himself as one of the prominent saxophone players and leaders of jazz. He has released over 200 albums under his own name, working with the likes of Max Roach, Randy Weston, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Taj Mahal, Mal Waldron, Amiri Baraka, Jerry Garcia, Doudou N’daye Rose, Cassandra Wilson, Jason Moran, Macy Gray, Omara Portuando, Saul Williams, Vijay Iyer, Quest Love, Black Thought, and Gregory Porter to name a few. He is also a founding member of the groundbreaking World Saxophone Quartet which toured and recorded for 40 years.

As well as being a well known bandleader, he is a noteworthy composer and arranger providing memorable melodies and harmonies. His approach to improvisation is instantly recognizable. Even in its freest flights, he acknowledges the gravity of a tradition he honors more than most, combining all the influences he grew out of: gospel, jazz, free/avant-garde jazz, rhythm’n blues, R&B and, in his associations with writers, poetry. The great Cecil Taylor compared him to his greatest predecessors who had signature sounds: “You stick your ear in the door, you know it’s David!’’

His most recent quartet released “Francesca” May 2024. The critics unanimously agree that he is at the top of his game! “At the height of his compositional prowess” (Jazzwisemagazine) “Murray’s art celebrate the magic of the hook, the deep grove” (Marlbank) “Murray’s tenor is at its most monumental” (Sydney Morning Herald) "Only a master such as Murray can create a deep groove that allows this music to run rather seamlessly across funk, Latin Rhythms, R&B, and free."(Glide Magazine)“Jazz legend David Murray is back with the next generation of geniuses” (Washington Post).

David Murray goes down as a worthy successor for some of the biggest names in jazz, and he is now contributing to the rise of many young talents acclaimed by the critics.

This album contains no booklet.