MURRAY Ken

Ken Murray has forged a distinctive career as a guitarist, seamlessly blending elements of performance, composition, teaching, and research. His focus encompasses a dedication to showcasing and recording Spanish music from the early 20^th century, collaborating extensively with contemporary composers, and actively engaging in the performance of Brazilian and South American musical genres. In his role as a composer, Murray has crafted a diverse array of compositions for solo guitar and ensemble settings.

Demonstrating a robust commitment to contemporary music, he has participated in premiere performances of over 100 works, collaborating with composers such as Stephen Goss, Dai Fujikura, Leilehua Lanzilotti, Christopher Sainsbury, Katy Abbott, Stuart Greenbaum, and Melody Eötvös. His enduring partnerships involve ongoing collaborations with composers who have created pieces across various genres, including solo guitar, electric guitar and CD, electric guitar and ensemble, guitar and voice, large chamber works, and music theatre compositions featuring the guitar. Murray’s performances and recordings have received recognition on platforms such as ABC FM and international labels like Kairos (Italy), Mode Records (USA), Move, Tall Poppies, and ABC Classics.

Murray’s compositions have been performed by guitarists such as Slava Grigoryan, Alex Tsiboulski, Vladimir Gorbach, Tengyue Zhang and Ziggy and Miles Johnston. Guitar ensembles including the Riverside Guitar Ensemble directed by Karin Schaupp have performed his music. Ken’s solo piece Free Range was selected as the set work for the Adelaide Guitar Festival competition in 2020. His pieces are represented in the Australian Music Examinations Board syllabus and his music has been performed in Europe, Asia and throughout Australia.

Murray is an integral part of Ensemble Three, alongside Joel Brennan (trumpet) and Don Immel (trombone). Their performances, both in Australia and abroad, reflect a commitment to commissioning new works and contribute to an expanding catalogue of recordings. Ensemble Three has established itself as “an inspiring example of forward-thinking classical music culture in Australia” (CutCommon).