Take a ride with Dennis Murphy
The title of Grammy nominated composer, guitarist, bassist and multi-instrumentalist Dennis Murphy’s 1999 debut Hit me Hard, perfectly captures the intensity he’s brought over the years to his multitude of endeavors as an early genre radio personality (whose show “Bass Trax” was produced by Smoothjazz.com founder, Sandy Shore).
On this latest foray – released in 2021 – the eclectic, ultra-melodic and tightly grooving Our Higher Selves, Murphy darts artfully between colorful guitar playing and bass-driven Smooth Jazz, fusion, playful samba and spiritual soul while freewheeling with an all-star cast including elite saxophonists Kirk Whalum, Eric Marienthal, Gary Meek and Tower Of Power’s Tom Politzer, as well as late guitar great Jeff Golub and legendary drummer Will Kennedy.
The latest release from the album is Let’s Take a Ride… It starts off in the slow lane, but soon gets motoring along (hang on to your hat).
…host of the Just Jazz radio show, writer, and occasional voice over artist.
