Alex McMurray

Alex McMurray has been writing songs, playing guitar and singing in New Orleans since the late Eighties. Along the way he has washed dishes, dug ditches, been signed to a label deal, substitute taught grade school, nearly died from a mysterious lung ailment and even moved away twice, yet never once did any of these things affect his mild, sunny disposition. Alex came to New Orleans from New Jersey in 1987 to attend Tulane University, and quickly became involved in the local music scene. He played in the venerated Vince Behrman Trio and after graduation joined with Uptown Funk legend Mike Ward and Reward as well as seventh ward rastas Ben Hunter and Crucial Roots. In the mid 90’s McMurray toured Germany with the Joyful Gospel Singers. Shortly after, he joined the funk band All That, recorded 3 CDs and toured with them. Needing an outlet for his own music, Alex formed Royal Fingerbowl. One of New Orleans' most beloved, if eccentric bands, the Fingerbowl had a meteoric rise and fall. Signed to TVT records, they released 2 CDs, "Happy Birthday Sabo" and "Greyhound Afternoons" and toured the continent before disbanding in November 2001. After a few weeks much-needed rest, the Tin Men were formed with former Fingerbowl bassist and tubist Matt Perrine and blues icon Washboard Chaz. They currently have 2 CDs: 2003’s "Super Great Music for Modern Lovers" and 2005’s "Freaks for Industry". They remain New Orleans’ premier sousaphone/washboard/guitar trio. In 2000 McMurray started the New Orleans rock steady anomaly 007 with Jeffrey Clemens of G-Love and Special Sauce, Joe Cabral of the Iguanas and Jonathan Freilich, the evil genius responsible for the Naked Orchestra and the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars. They released their CD "Studied Rudeness" in 2004 and are perennial winners in the world music category at the New Orleans Big Easy and Offbeat awards. In 2002 Alex embarked on a 6 month stint singing sea shanteys at Tokyo DisneySea, after which he headed back to New Orleans to reunite with his various bands. In 2003 McMurray released his first solo CD "Banjaxed", joined by the likes of Rene Coman, Carlo Nuccio, Matt Perrine and David Torkanowsky, among others. The record was produced by Jeff Treffinger. In 2004 Alex packed his bags after 17 years in the Crescent City and moved to New York City, where he played regularly throughout the Northeast. He returned often, however, to his longtime adopted home to perform on his own, with the Tin Men and 007. On February 1, 2006 McMurray, along with his wife, the artist Kourtney Keller and their three cats, moved back to New Orleans. Among the myriad projects McMurray is currently involved with are Chazfest, New Orleans' original 9th ward music festival alternative; the Fifth Season Cinema Tuesday nights in the summer; the Schatzy band; the Happy Talk Band; 00Doug/Alex, as well as 007 and The Tin Men. Alex, Kourtney and the cats make their home in the Bywater.