Alex McMurray bas been described in Rolling Stone magazine as "what Tom Waits would sound like if he was from New Orleans". Alex came to New Orleans from New Jersey in 1986 to attend Tulane University, and quickly became involved in the local music scene. He played in the venerated Vince Berman Trio and after graduating joined with Uptown Funk legend Mike Ward and Reward as well as seventh ward rastas Ben Hunter and Crucial Roots.
In the mid 90s 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, Fingerbowl had a meteoric rise and fall. Signed to TVT records, they released 2 CDs and toured the continent before disbanding.
Almost immediately after he formed the Tin Men 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 2005s "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 Torkanowski, 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 plays regularly throughout the Northeast. However, he often returns to his
longtime adopted home to perform on his own, with the Tin Men and 007.
Alex McMurray - Supports Nothing www.alexmcmurray.com
Washboard Chaz Leary- Washboard, vocals
"Have Groove, Will Travel"
hough comfortable in all forms of our diverse American musical heritage, Washboard Chaz Leary has achieved dominance and international recognition in acoustic country blues. He has played professionally with an impressive array of world-class musicians, both on the stage and in the recording studio. His reputation as a consumate musician and performer - along with a delightful stage presence has brought him countless excellent reviews and wide popularity. In addition to his central roles with the acclaimed Bleecker St., Ophelia Swing Band, and Washboard, Drum and Dye, Chaz has joined such entertainers as John Hammond, Duke Robillard, Corey Harris and Bonnie Raitt on stage.  His talents extend from washboard, congas and other hand percussion, drum kit, lead and background vocals, to songwriting and arranging. Chaz has also developed a strong program of percussion workshops both for adults and for children, as well as having performed for Blues in the Schools programs in Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. To enhance your performance in the studio and/or live, Washboard Chaz is a guaranteed crowd-pleasing professional.
Washboard Chaz Home Page
Matt Perrine - Sousaphone
Arranger/sousaphonist Matt Perrine is one of New Orleans' most in-demand musicians on tuba and acoustic and electric basses. He has recorded with platinum-selling alternative rock group Better Than Ezra, Royal Fingerbowl, Ed Peterson, Johnny Vidacovich and Betty Shirley, and he played with Joey Calderazzo and Ellis Marsalis. In addition to the Tin Men, he can currently be found throwing down the deep bottom with New Orleans ensembles , Nightcrawler and Bonerama.