Interview with Guitarist J.J. Murphy

This episode of Backstage Jazz features an interview with Denver guitarist, composer, and teacher J.J. Murphy. We discussed his upcoming performance at Dazzle on Saturday, December 16. As a composer and a guitarist, J.J. Murphy brings a soulful vitality to contemporary music. His sound is an effortless blend of folk, blues, rock, and jazz, with covers from Thelonious Monk to Radiohead. “JJ is an inspiring guitarist well versed in many styles, but he made me fall in love with blues and slide guitar all over again,” said Dave Abear (Melvin Seals and JGB). Nashville-based producer Ryan Connors defines Murphy's style as “the blues-inspired rawness of Eric Clapton with the jazz vocabulary and sensitivity of Bill Frisell.” JJ Murphy, Nate Miller, Kirwan Brown, and Braxton Kahn will perform on Saturday, December 16, at 9 p.m. (doors open at 8:30). The material will be rooted in funk, but it can go any direction at any moment. The band will draw on original material from each member and some songs the audience knows. The music will make you want to move.