Orla Murphy is a talented London-based Jazz Vocalist. Her voice has been described as possessing a distinctive, rich sound with a deep and soulful timbre; and often comparisons are made with great Jazz Vocalists Nina Simone, Cleo Laine, and Diana Krall.
Orla performs regularly at various jazz and music venues throughout London, and the Greater London area, and over the last six years has performed at the following notable venues: The National Portrait Gallery, The Spice of Life, The National Theatre Foyer, Mill Hill Jazz Club, The Octave, Rays Jazz at Foyles, JAZZ7 at Hugos, Pizza Express (Maidstone) and The Stables at Wavendon.
She has worked and recorded with many of London’s leading jazz musicians, some of which feature on her forthcoming second album ‘Wonderous Visions’, which is due for release in the UK before Christmas 2011. The album is a presentation of new jazz arrangements and re-workings of Stevie Wonder songs, chosen from his works mainly from the 1970s (his classic period). Several other songs from outside this period are featured on the album, plus an original - written by Orla and accomplished pianist Steve Lodder. The album is already receiving great feedback in its preview period prior to the release. A special preview of several tracks from the album are posted on Orla’s website at www.orlamurphy.net
Orla has also performed at various International festivals throughout the UK and Ireland, in Glasgow, Derry, and Sligo; and at jazz venues in her native Ireland, Scotland, and Wales; as well as performing in Italy and Malaysia.
In May 2008, Orla released her debut album 'Wishful Thinking', co-produced with pianist Simon Wallace; which gained notable praise from jazz musicians and critics alike. This release coincided with Orla's very successful Jazz Services-funded tour in England, which began at the National Portrait Gallery in London on the 30th May 2008. Other performances took place at Matt & Phreds Jazz Club in Manchester, The Met in Bury, and St. Ives Jazz Club in Cornwall among others. The tour was well received and garnered much praise and attention from audiences throughout the country.
Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Orla’s interest in jazz was fuelled by the plethora of great jazz musicians that performed at her late father’s bar and music room ‘The Bridge’, during the early to mid-1990s. The venue played host to local, national and international jazz musicians such as Paul Dunmall, Jean Touissant and Hugh Fraser. It was around this time that her interest and love of jazz began, and so too her quest to pursue a career as a Jazz Vocalist. www.orlamurphy.net
Gigs
6th March CD Launch Leicester Sq Theatre 4-30pm
20th June - The Lescar, Sheffield
21st June - The Met, Greater Manchester
22nd June - Matt & Phreds, Manchester
24th June - Square Chapel Theatre, Halifax
26th June - St. Ives Jazz Club, St. Ives
 ){kind=link}
){kind=link}
