Member Since: 8/7/2006
Band Website: cdbaby.com/cd/onaje
Band Members: Members include:Bassist Ryan Cross--A recent graduate from the University of Southern California of Jazz studies where he studied under the great master bassist and arranger John Clayton. Ryan as a result is a very articulate and rhythmic player. He has performed with the Billy Higgins Ensemble, The Loca Hart Quartet, and several groups in Southern California and the Seattle Washington areas.Drummer Dave Anderson--A high energy and sensitive player that catches all the accents. He has performed with the Rippingtons, David Benoir, Karen Briggs and many others.Guitarist Daryl Darden--Is a very dynamic and prolific player with deep roots in Blues, Jazz and Fusion music. He has worked with Lou Rawls among many many others.Onaje Murray originally from Beaumont Texas is a multi talented musician whose talents include playing Vibes, Marimba, Flute, Piano, Percussion and Vocals. He has toured and recorded with such giants as Hubert Laws, Gerry Mulligan, Walter Bishop Jr. Jean Carn, Ronnie Laws and the Lou Rawls Orchestra. In additions he scored the music to the film Bush Mama by Ethiopian Film Maker Halie Germa. Onajes' first album, "I Hear a Samba" was nominated for the N.A.A.C.P Image Awards. His most recent CD is entitled "Happy Feelin" on Sunchime Records.
Influences: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Milt Jackson, Hubert Laws, Bobby Hutcherson, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Billy Holiday to name a few.********************************************************
******Mr. Murray leads his Mid-City Magnet Band (Middle School) in the last concert of the '06 school year:Get Your Own! | View Slideshow
Sounds Like: The following Mini-Capsule is a Track by Track description of Onaje Murray and P.S. Island lastest CD release on Sunchime Records.Track I. HAPPY FEELING: Urban Jazz groove of vocal lead with vibes counter melody in the (A) Section. The (B) Section finds the voice and the vibes in unison on the melody. This musical landscape is propelled with pulsating percussion, an accented rhythm section and the highlight feature is the 'Hot Vibe Solo'. Time---5:49Track II. THEME FROM BUSH MAMA: This song is a remake taken from the first film of Ethiopian Film Maker Halie Germa in which Onaje scored the music. Mr Germa is best known for his most recent film Sankofa, however, Bush Mama received critical acclaim when it premiered at The Cann Film Festival in France. This song has an Afro-Cuban feel with a strong rhythm, highlighted with a plantive Flute Melody and punctuated with solos by Flute, Vibes, Guitar, and Percussion.
Time---4:51Track III. STOP THE KILLING: A reggae Jazz Groove with Vocals which makes an appeal for the senseless street violence to stop. The feature on this track is the Guitar Solo. Time---4:12Onaje Murray on vibes with Freestyle Fellowship featuring Daddy-O
Onaje Murray plays Caravan with Darryl Darden (guitar), Ryan Cross (bass) and Tony Dumas (drums) at Hotel Angelino February 25, 2008 ..
I Remember April, Onaje Murray plays Caravan with Darryl Darden (guitar), Ryan Cross (bass) and Tony Dumas (drums) at Hotel Angelino February 25, 2008
Record Label: Sunchime Music
Type of Label: Indie