Mike Murley

"Tenor saxophonist Mike Murley is a heavy-weight talent. Nova Scotia-born and Toronto-based, he is a multiple JUNO winner who has performed with many of the top-notch musicians on the scene. If you’ve ever heard Mike in person, you know he is a hard-swinging and lyrical player whose solos always have a beautiful momentum to them."
-Renee Rosnes, Artistic Director

Mike will perform on Sunday with the Canadian Jazz Lions

An engaging, lyrical saxophonist, Mike Murley is one of Canada’s most celebrated and well-respected jazz artists.  Currently active as a leader in various formations from duo to septet, Murley also maintains a busy schedule as both a sideman and an educator as Chair of the University of Toronto Jazz Program.  He has played on twelve Juno Award-winning recordings since 1990, most recently in 2013  for his trio recording Test of Time (Cornerstone Records) and in 2017 for Metalwood’s Twenty (Cellar Live).

Since moving to Toronto from his native Nova Scotia in 1981 Murley has enjoyed a career that has spanned a wide stylistic spectrum.   Recordings with legendary Canadian artists such as Ed Bickert, Guido Basso, and Rob McConnell showcase the saxophonist’s talents in the mainstream standard repertoire.  On the more contemporary side, Murley has collaborated frequently with the younger generation of improviser/composers including pianist David Braid and guitarist David Occhipinti.  He is also well known for his work with the three-time Juno Award winning electric jazz group Metalwood.  In addition he has recorded and performed with numerous other Canadian and international artists including John Abercrombie, David Liebman, Paul Bley, and Kenny Wheeler.