For over 30 years, violinist Chris Murphy has been dedicated to writing, performing, and recording original music. Drawing inspiration from the troubadours and minstrels of the past, he reflects, “In another era, I would have played square dances or been a court musician in Versailles.” His eclectic influences range from Italian mandolin and bluegrass to rock icons like Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, and his hero, David Lindley.
Murphy performs over 200 concerts annually across the USA, The Netherlands, France, and the UK. His original songs explore themes of love, loss, redemption, hope, and fear. Murphy describes his music as a “live film score,” offering listeners a journey into his world. Renowned for his proficiency across genres, from Jazz and Classical to Folk, World Music, and Ambient, his performances are both charismatic and engaging, drawing in his audience to make them feel elevated. As Rootstime notes— “Murphy is a master and a craftsman on his instruments…” promising memorable and captivating shows.
Born into an Irish-Italian family near New York City, Murphy absorbed the diverse sounds of his community. He studied Turkish and Indian music at Simon’s Rock of Bard College and composition at the New England Conservatory of Music. While he has self-taught on various instruments, he found his true calling at 22 when he picked up the violin. “It’s an instrument you’ll find everywhere, with a charming minstrel quality,” he notes.
Now based in Los Angeles, Murphy teaches guitar, mandolin, and violin, composes for film, and performs extensively. His discography includes solo and collaborative albums, along with contributions to records by artists like Har Mar Superstar and The Dandy Warhols. In the past two years, he has released six new albums across diverse styles and has also appeared on television shows such as Til’ Death and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
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