Mark Murphy (singer)

Mark Murphy
Mark Murphy (1975)
Background information
Born	(1932-03-14)March 14, 1932 Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Origin	Fulton, New York, U.S.
Died	October 22, 2015(2015-10-22) (aged 83) Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	Swing, Jazz
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Associated acts	Jack Teagarden, Eddie Jefferson, Jon Hendricks, Sheila Jordan

Mark Howe Murphy (March 14, 1932 – October 22, 2015) was an American jazz singer based in New York City. He was known for his use of vocalese and vocal improvisations with both melody and lyrics. He was the recipient of the 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2001 Down Beat magazine readers jazz poll for Best Male Vocalist of the Year and also the recipient of six Grammy award nominations for Best Vocal Jazz Performance. He wrote original lyrics to the jazz tunes "Stolen Moments" and "Red Clay".

Born in Syracuse, New York, in 1932, Murphy was raised in a musical family, his parents having met as members of the local Methodist Church choir. He grew up in the nearby small town of Fulton, New York, where his grandmother and then his aunt were the church organists. Opera was also a presence in the Murphy home. He started piano lessons at the age of seven.

Murphy joined his brother's jazz dance band as the singer when a teenager, citing influences from Nat "King" Cole, June Christy, Anita O'Day, and Ella Fitzgerald. The Jazz pianist Art Tatum was also an influence.

Murphy graduated from Syracuse University in 1953, majoring in Music and Drama. University life included performing on campus and also in a club – playing piano and singing.

In 1954, Murphy moved to New York City, working part-time as an actor and singer. He appeared in productions for the Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Company and a musical version for television of Casey at the Bat. Also, he twice took second place at the Apollo Theatre amateur contests.