Album Notes

“The first thing that strikes you when listening to this debut album from Belfast-born, London-based Vocalist Orla Murphy is her lustrous timbre. Sounding like the forgotten lovechild of Joni Mitchell and Terry Callier - seamlessly combining the liquid phrasing of the former with the soulful sonorities of the latter - Murphy's captivating tone really draws the listener into the song. …This impressive debut should help to put this affecting singer well and truly on the map. Peter Quinn, JAZZWISE (October 2007)

“We wandered into the National Portrait Gallery recently, and stumbled on an excellent new singer, Orla Murphy, and Jonathan Gee’s fine trio with Julie Walkington and Winston Clifford. Never know your luck with this place...Someone there knows what’s what.’’ Brian Blain, JAZZ UK (Issue 74, March/April 2007)

"Orla Murphy has a voice as warm, lyrical and expressive - as she is herself." TINA MAY, Jazz Vocalist & Director of the Loire Vocal Jazz Summer School.

Orla Murphy is a talented London-based Jazz Vocalist who has been performing on the London jazz scene for the last few years. Her voice has been described as possessing a distinctive, rich, and soulful sound with a fiery, bluesy quality that draws her listeners. Although mainly performing jazz from her vast repertoire, her voice is equipped with the versatility to sing soul gems and pop classics. One of her primary idols is Stevie Wonder, and her interpretation of his classic ‘Make Sure Your Sure’ from her debut album ‘Wishful Thinking’ (2008), is testament to her adventurous approach to jazz.

Orla has performed in many notable jazz and music venues throughout the city, such as: The National Portrait Gallery, The Spice of Life, The National Theatre Foyer, and The Octave. She has worked and recorded with many of London's leading jazz musicians such as: Simon Wallace, Jonathan Gee, Barry Green, Julie Walkington, Amy Baldwin, and Winston Clifford, to name a few.

She has also performed in Italy, throughout the UK, Scotland, and Ireland with memorable performances at the Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival in Northern Ireland (May '07), the Glasgow International Jazz Festival (June '07) and Swansea Jazzland, Wales (July '07 & May '08).

In the last year Orla released her debut album 'Wishful Thinking', which she co-produced with pianist Simon Wallace. The album had its official release on FMR Records on the 1st May 2008 and is gaining notable praise from jazz musicians and critics alike. This release coincided with Orla's very successful Jazz Services tour in England which began at the National Portrait Gallery in London on the 30th May 2008.

In 2005 and 2006 Orla performed with two of Europe's leading contemporary jazz guitarists, Sandro Gibellini in Certaldo, Italy (August 2005) and with Mike Nielsen at the Sligo Jazz Festival, Ireland (October 2005). Orla was also guest vocalist with Sandro as part of his north-west tour of Ireland in Sligo (February 2006).

www.orlamurphy.com
www.myspace.com/ommurphy