Irish born London-based vocalist Orla Murphy will be performing the songs of Stevie Wonder, accompanied by pianist Philip Clouts, at the Bridport Arts Centre Jazz Café on Friday 8th June.
Orla Murphy is a talented singer whose 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.
She has worked and recorded with many of London’s leading jazz musicians, some of which feature on her second album ‘Wonderous Visions’, which was officially released in March at the Leicester Square Theatre.
The album is a set of new jazz arrangements of Stevie Wonder songs, chosen mainly from his works from the 1970s – his ‘classic’ period. The album has already received notable praise from jazz critics and musicians alike. As a special preview, 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.
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 and 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.
‘Belfast born Orla has a vocal talent of depth and imagination echoing the female jazz greats…’ MUSICIAN MAGAZINE
‘The first thing that strikes you when listening to this debut album from Belfast-born, London-based Vocalist Orla Murphy is her lustrous timbre. Sounding like the forgotten lovechild of Joni Mitchell and Terry Callier – seamlessly combining the liquid phrasing of the former with the soulful sonorities of the latter – Murphy’s captivating tone really draws the listener into the song…This impressive debut should help to put this affecting singer well and truly on the map. JAZZWISE
Friday 8th June 8pm Bridport Arts Centre, South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NR
£8 Box Office 01308 424204
