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The David Murray Guide

by Tom Hull

This was published in The Village Voice on May 20, 2006. For an update and altnerative slice, see my David Murray Guide (2020).

Born 1955 in California, David Murray is far and away the greatest tenor saxophonist of his generation. He fed on church, funk, and the great sax men of the '60s -- Albert Ayler and Paul Gonsalves early on, and soon he had mastered everyone without ever sounding like anyone else. By 1975, avant-jazz had gone underground, and Murray dug deep, recording prolifically for tiny labels -- 90 as a leader, 90 more as a sideman including 20 with the World Saxophone Quartet, and some count even more. His records are hard to find, little known, and in many cases out of print.

DAVID MURRAY
Low Class Conspiracy
(1976, Adelphi)
At 21, Murray moved to New York from California and bulled his way into the lofts that had become an avant-grade refuge. His first studio album showcases a trio that cedes a lot of space to bassist Fred Hopkins, including a solo dedicated to Jimmy Garrison. But Murray is already a virtuoso, his trademark the stratospheric runs he punctuates with abrupt honks. Stanley Crouch's liner notes lionize Murray in terms he would soon apply to lesser talents: Murray "swings." I'd say he rocks.

DAVID MURRAY TRIO
Sweet Lovely
(1979 [1980], Black Saint)
Murray finally found a steady outlet in Italy on Giovanni Bonandrini's label. His second album there was this bare-bones trio, with Fred Hopkins and Steve McCall setting up obstacle courses for Murray's fierce saxophone runs. The title song didn't make the cut -- fittingly, on such a raw-sounding outing.

DAVID MURRAY OCTET
Ming
(1980, Black Saint)
This octet record was startling when it appeared, recalling Mingus both in its complex layering and its sheer energy, but pushing further as it unleashed some of the most distinctive musicians of the '80s -- most notably Henry Threadgill, George Lewis, and Murray himself. Cornetist Butch Morris went on to make a cottage industry out of conducted improvisations -- conductions, he called them. This is where he learned his craft.

DAVID MURRAY QUARTET
Morning Song (1983 [1984], Black Saint)
He's recorded the title track many times, but never again so joyously as leading off this ebullient album. Other delights include a meditation on "Body and Soul," a bass clarinet romp through "Jitterbug Waltz," and a brief but intense "Duet" with drummer Ed Blackwell. Neither avant nor diluted -- one of his most accessible albums.

JOHN HICKS/DAVID MURRAY
Sketches of Tokyo
(1985 [1986], DIW)
Billed as by "John Hicks/David Murray," this stands out because Hicks keeps pushing his ideas even when Murray is flying. Piano duo albums became a Murray staple, with his quartet pianists -- Dave Burrell as well as Hicks -- less daunted than such brave outsiders as Jon Jang and Randy Weston.

DAVID MURRAY TRIO
The Hill
(1986, Black Saint)
Richard Davis and Joe Chambers are more orthodox than Murray's usual trio-mates -- they complement rather than compete, which lets Murray relax and expand. He reveals new subtleties in his tricky title cut, works out a Butch Morris puzzle, takes Ellington Coltrane, and ends at his leisure on Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge." But this isn't standard fare. Davis plays quite a bit of bass fiddle, especially on the bass clarinet feature, and Chambers closes on vibes.

DAVID MURRAY
Deep River
(1988 [1989], DIW)
Famously prolific, Murray was never more so than during his January 1988 quartet sessions (Burrell, Hopkins, Ralph Peterson Jr.) in New York for Japan's DIW. The label split up the surplus into self-evident album titles: Ballads, Spirituals, Lovers, Tenors. The first released has a bit of each and two Africa-themed originals that head elsewhere. All this music is so consistent it should be wrapped up into a magnificent box set.

GEORGE ARVANITAS/DAVID MURRAY
Tea for Two
(1990 [1991], Fresh Sound)
With George Arvanitas, this is the most conventional of Murray's piano duos: songbook fare, all ballads, ably supported, exquisite.

DAVID MURRAY
Shakill's Warrior
(1991, DIW)
Soul-jazz formula takes organ and drums, then adds sax and/or guitar -- here both. But Murray doesn't settle for the funk that guitarist Stanley Franks delivers on Andrew Cyrille's piece. That's because Don Pullen's organ goes places only his piano has gone before -- compare "At the Cafe Central" with his original.

DAVID MURRAY
Ballads for Bass Clarinet
(1991 [1993], DIW)
Murray adopted the bass clarinet as a second horn in 1979 with the World Saxophone Quartet, used it on Ming, and brought it to the fore in 1981's Clarinet Summit. Since then he's used it for a song or two on most of his albums, and recorded this single showcase. He gets much more out of the instrument than its characteristic hollow tone, including a clean high register he can soar in and honk against.

DAVID MURRAY/MILFORD GRAVES
Real Deal
(1991 [1992], DIW)
A duet album with Milford Graves, an innovative drummer with roots in the '60s avant-garde who sets the pace. Murray freewheels, at times so caught up in the rhythm that he just clicks and pops.

DAVID MURRAY BIG BAND
South of the Border
(1992 [1995], DIW)
Murray's previous big-band efforts, starting in 1984 with Live at Sweet Basil, diluted him. But looking south for beat and vibe, conductor Butch Morris weaves the extra horns in seamlessly. Not that they look very far: the table setter is a Sonny Rollins calypso.

DAVID MURRAY
The Long Goodbye: A Tribute to Don Pullen
(1996, DIW)
Four songs by the late, great pianist; two by his protégé D.D. Jackson, who occupies the hot seat; the title cut a Butch Morris dirge. Despite some rousing passages, this is becalming and elegiac, a fitting companion to Pullen's own Ode to Life.

DAVID MURRAY
Creole
(1997, Justin Time)
Moving to France, Murray stepped further out into the world. Fo Deuk Revue introduced him to Senegal's griots and rappers. Here he goes to Guadeloupe, encountering the ka drums, flutes, and vocals at the other end of the Middle Passage. Two remarkable reunions followed -- Yonn-Dé (2002) and the Pharoah Sanders-fortified Gwotet (2004) -- but this is one jazz-world fusion of Murray's that comes together whole.

DAVID MURRAY POWER QUARTET
Like a Kiss That Never Ends
(2000 [2001], Justin Time
"David Murray Power Quartet," the billing says, but it's more like Classic Quartet, with longtime mates Hicks, Cyrille, and Ray Drummond on board. Classic album too -- powerful, yes, but unlike his youthful work, never rough.

DAVID MURRAY LATIN BIG BAND
Now Is Another Time
(2001-02 [2003], Justin Time)
The "David Murray Latin Big Band" goes south of the border for real. A huge band with muy Latinos and no Butch Morris. Still, Murray stands out -- as with Dizzy Gillespie, no band is big enough to contain him.

Postscript and Disclaimer

These are my notes, from 2006.

I've read reports that Murray's recorded 200-300 records. The figures above (90 + 90) are all I've been able to verify, but those numbers are most likely somewhat short. The division between leader and sideman is somewhat arbitrary. His records are hard to find. I've gone out of my way to follow him, and still I've only heard heard 60 + 40 of them. No doubt I've missed some real good ones. I haven't heard 3D Family (1978, Hat Art), which he's kept as the name of his company. I've missed a bunch of the DIWs -- Remembrances* (1991) has an especially strong reputation.

A lot of Murray records didn't miss the above list by much. Here's a quick rundown, plus a few comments:

Flowers for Albert: The Complete Concert* (1976, India Navigation) is the only early live album I've heard. Several others have made it to CD: Flowers for Albert (1977, West Wind); Live at the Lower Manhattan Ocean Club (1977, Indian Navigation); The London Concert (1978, Cadillac).

Home* (1981, Black Saint) and Murray's Steps (1982, Black Saint): further adventures with the Octet, a group that returns for Octet Plays Trane (1999, Justin Time).

I Want to Talk About You (1986, Black Saint): A live trio that ties this period together.

Special Quartet (1990, DIW): With McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones, not to mention Fred Hopkins.

Body and Soul (1993, Black Saint): Another twist on the Hawkins classic.

The Tip and Jug-a-Lug (1994, DIW): Two upbeat sets with organ and electric guitars, one with "Sex Machine."

Other notable DIWs: Fast Life (1991), For Aunt Louise (1993), With Ray Anderson and Anthony Davis (1994).

Other piano duos: Dave Burrell's In Concert (1991, Victo) and Windward Passages (1993, Black Saint) are strongest, followed closely by Aki Takase's Blue Monk (1991, Enja).

Murray has also recorded drum duos with Kahil El'Zabar, but Love Outside of Dreams (1997, Delmark) has something extra -- one of Fred Hopkins's last performances.

I don't like the strings on Waltz Again (2002, Justin Time), but the saxophone is magnificent.

With 20 albums to date, Murray's longest-running side-project is the World Saxophone Quartet, formed in 1977 with Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, and Hamiett Bluiett. Hemphill was the main arranger until illness sidelined him in 1990. His records, with four saxes and nothing else, follow a purism I've never enjoyed and often found tedious. The later records are more eclectic, often with extra musicians as well as whoever they could find for Hemphill's slot. One of the best is the African drums-enhanced Selim Sivad: A Tribute to Miles Davis (1998, Justin Time).

One of the best sideman albums is Kip Hanrahan's Conjure, Music for the Texts of Ishmael Reed (1983, American Clavé), eventually followed by Bad Mouth (2005, American Clavé).

Also: D.D. Jackson, Peace-Song (1994, Justin Time).

Murray has never had a box set, a best-of, a compilation of any sort. He did get a role in Robert Altman's Kansas City, as Ben Webster. Also played on the Roots, Illadelph Halflife (1996, DGC).

Discography

#1976.05.23
Wildflowers: The New York Loft Jazz Sessions Complete
  (1976, Knitting Factory, 3CD) [U]
collects five LPs, originally Douglas 7045-7049;
Murray appears on three tracks

#1976.06.26
David Murray: Flowers for Albert: The Complete Concert
  (1976 [1997], India Navigation, 2CD) [U]
  DM (ts), Olu Dara (t, fh), Fred Hopkins (b), Phillip Wilson (d)
reissue includes three additional tracks (+45:47)
Murray was 21 (born 1955-02-19), from Berkeley CA, freshly moved to NYC
where he moved right in to the loft scene.
nb: Penguin Guide lists *Flowers for Albert* as India Navigation 1004 [2CD],
recorded 9/77, with Lawrence Butch Morris, Don Pullen, Fred Hopkins, Stanley
Crouch. this isn't listed in Murray sessionography, but is similar to
West Wind 2039, David Murray and the Low Class Conspiracy: Flowers for
Albert, recorded 1977-08-18, originally 2lp, later 1cd omitting one
song. can't find anything more on IN 2004.

#1976.06.29
David Murray: Low Class Conspiracy (1976, Adelphi) [B+]
  DM (ts), Fred Hopkins (b), Phillip Wilson (d)
have LP. Murray very impressive on "Dewey's Circle," at least until Hopkins
takes over. "B/T" is also impressive. Hopkins goes solo on "Dedication to
Jimmy Garrison".
Stanley Crouch wrote liner notes: "Each of the players, firstly, is a
swinger, and swing, regardless of style, is the marrow of African-American
Art Music, or Jazz."

#1977.06.xx
World Saxophone Quartet: Point of No Return (1977, Moers 1034) [B]
  DM (ts), Julius Hemphill (as), Oliver Lake (as), Hamiet Bluiett (bs)

#1979.12.05
David Murray Trio: Sweet Lovely (1979 [1980], Black Saint) [A-]
  DM (ts), Fred Hopkins (b), Steve McCall (d)

#1980.01.17
James Blood Ulmer: Are You Glad to Be in America? (1980, Artist House) [B+]
have LP; reissued on Rough Trade [1980], DIW [1995]

#1980.07.28
David Murray Octet: Ming (1980, Black Saint) [A-]
  DM (ts, bcl), Henry Threadgill (as), Olu Dara (t), Butch Morris (cornet),
  George Lewis (tb), Anthony Davis (p), Wilbur Morris (b), Steve McCall (d)
Murray originals: "The Fast Life", "The Hill", "Ming", "Jasvan", "Dewey's
Circle". "Ming" is a rather lovely complex ballad. 

#1981.11.01
David Murray Octet: Home (1981, Black Saint) [B+]

#1981.xx.xx
James Blood Ulmer: Freelancing (1981 [1982], Columbia) [B]
DM on three tracks

#1982.07.19
David Murray Octet: Murray's Steps (1982 [1983], Black Saint) [B+]
  DM (ts, bcl), Henry Threadgill (as, fl), Bobby Bradford (t),
  Lawrence Butch Morris (cornet), Craig Harris (tb), Curtis Clark (p),
  Wilber Morris (b), Steve McCall (percussion)
"Murray's Steps", "Sweet Lovely", "Sing Song", "Flowers for Albert" --
all Murray compositions. some nice stuff, especially "Sweet Lovely",
but not exceptional.

#1983.09.30
David Murray Quartet: Morning Song (1983 [1984], Black Saint) [A-]
  DM (ts, bcl), John Hicks (p), Reggie Workman (b), Ed Blackwell (d)
"Morning Song", a Murray original he's done many times; "Body and
Soul" (the standard), "Light Blue Frolic" (Butch Morris), "Jitterbug
Waltz" (Fats Waller), "Off Season", "Duet".
"Body and Soul" starts with melody, unlike Hawkins classic.
Plays bcl on the Waller piece; Air was doing similar things around
this time, but this is even more joyous. "Off Season" sounds like
bcl too, less obviously. "Duet" is definitely sax, just drums for
accompaniment, just 2:14 long, really terrific.

#1983.10.xx
Conjure: Music for the Texts of Ishmael Reed (1983 [1985], American Clavé) [A-]
group led by Kip Hanrahan

#1983.xx.xx
Jamaaldeen Tacuma: Renaissance Man (1983, Gramavision) [B]

#1984.08.26
David Murray Big Band: Live at Sweet Basil, Vol. 1 (1984, Black Saint) [B]

#1984.08.26
David Murray Big Band: Live at Sweet Basil, Vol. 2
  (1984 [1985], Black Saint) [B]

#1984.xx.xx
Kip Hanrahan: Vertical's Currency (1984, American Clavé) [B]

#1985.04.11
John Hicks/David Murray: Sketches of Tokyo (1985 [1986], DIW) [A-]
  DM (ts, bcl), JH (p)
covers: Epistrophy (Monk), Naima (Coltrane), God Bless the Child; two
Hicks songs (Blues in the Pocket, Sketches of Tokyo), one Murray (New
Life)

#1985.10.08
David Murray Octet: New Life (1985, Black Saint) [B]

#1986.03.01
David Murray: I Want to Talk About You (1986, Black Saint) [A-]

#1986.04.xx
World Saxophone Quartet: Plays Duke Ellington (1986, Elektra/Nonesuch) [C+]

#1986.11.29
David Murray Trio: The Hill (1986, Black Saint) [A-]
  DM (ts, bcl), Richard Davis (b), Joe Chambers (d, vibes)
Murray originals: "Santa Barbara and Crenshaw Follies", "The Hill", "Herbie
Miller" (bcl, duet with Davis); Butch Morris' "Fling"; Ellington's "Take
the Coltrane"; Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge" (with vibes)

#1987.04.xx
World Saxophone Quartet: Dances and Ballads (1987, Elektra/Nonesuch) [B+]

#1987.05.12
David Murray Octet: Hope Scope (1987 [1991], Black Saint) [B]

#1987.09.26
David Murray/Randy Weston: The Healers (1987, Black Saint) [B]

#1988.01.xx
David Murray: Deep River (1988 [1989], DIW) [A]
  DM (ts, bcl), Dave Burrell (p), Fred Hopkins (b), Ralph Peterson Jr (d)
mostly originals, aside from "Jazz (Is Back)" (Butch Morris), "Mr. P.C."
(Coltrane), "Deep River" (traditional)

#1988.01.xx
David Murray: Ballads (1988 [1990], DIW) [A]

#1988.01.xx
David Murray: Spirituals (1988 [1990], DIW) [A-]

#1988.01.xx
David Murray Quartet: Tenors (1988 [1993], DIW) [A-]
  DM (ts), Dave Burrell (p), Fred Hopkins (b), Ralph Peterson Jr (d)
covers: John Coltrane (Equinox), Albert Ayler (Ghosts), Ornette Coleman
(Perfection), Billy Strayhorn (Chelsea Bridge), Sonny Rollins (St. Thomas);
also a Dave Burrell rag (Over Time, adapted from a theme by Punaluu Peter)

#1988.07.20
David Murray: Ming's Samba (1988 [1989], Portrait) [B+]

#1988.09.25
David Murray/Dave Burrell/Wilbur Morris/Victor Lewis: Lucky Four
  (1988 [1989], Tutu) [B+]

#1988.11.xx
World Saxophone Quartet: Rhythm and Blues (1988, Elektra/Musician) [B-]

#1988.xx.xx
Big Band Charlie Mingus: Live at the Theatre Boulogne-Billancourt Volume 1
  (1988 [1989], Soul Note) [B+]

#1988.xx.xx
Big Band Charlie Mingus: Live at the Theatre Boulogne-Billancourt Volume 2
  (1988 [1989], Soul Note) [A-]

#1988.xx.xx
Conjure: Cab Calloway Stands In for the Moon (1987-1988, American Clave) [B]

#1989.12.23
Ralph Peterson: Presents the Fo'tet (1989, Blue Note) [B]

#1990.03.26
David Murray: Special Quartet (1990 [1991], DIW 843) [A-]

#1990.04.xx
World Saxophone Quartet: Metamorphosis (1990 [1991], Elektra/Nonesuch) [B+]
first album without Hemphill; Arthur Blythe joins as well as non-saxophonists
Melvin Gibbs, Chief Bey, Mar Gueye, Mor Thiam

#1990.05.19
David Murray/George Arvanitas: Tea for Two (1990 [1991], Fresh Sound) [A]
  DM (ts), George Arvanitas (p)
   1. "Chelsea Bridge"
   2. "Polka Dots and Moonbeams"
   3. "Star Eyes"
   4. "Body and Soul"
   5. "Tea for Two"
   6. "I'm in the Mood for Love"
   7. "Blues for Two"
   8. "La Vie en Rose"

#1990.11.19
Bobby Battle/David Murray: The Offering (1990 [1994], Mapleshade) [B+]

#1991.01.12
Andy Hamilton and the Blue Notes: Silvershine (1991, World Circuit) [B+]
2 tracks

#1991.03.02
David Murray: Shakill's Warrior (1991, DIW) [A]
  DM (ts), Don Pullen (organ), Stanley Franks (g), Andrew Cyrille (d)
   1. "Blues for Savannah" (Murray)
   2. "Song From the Old Country" (Pullen): from *Breakthrough*
   3. "High Priest" (Cyrille): starts with words
   4. "In the Spirit" (Pullen)
   5. "Shakill's Warrior" (Murray)
   6. "At the Cafe Central" (Pullen): from *New Beginnings*
   7. "Black February" (Butch Morris)
   8. "Milano Strut" (Pullen)

#1991.03.06
David Murray Big Band Conducted by Lawrence "Butch" Morris (1991, DIW 851) [B]

#1991.03.xx
David Murray/Piere Dørge's New Jungle Orchestra: The Jazzpar Prize
  (1991 [1993], Enja) [B+]

#1991.05.11
McCoy Tyner: 44th Street Suite (1991, Red Baron) [B+]

#1991.10.12
Dave Burrell/David Murray: In Concert (1991, Victo) [A-]

#1991.04.xx
Aki Takase/David Murray: Blue Monk (1991 [1995], Enja) [A-]

#1991.08.20
David Murray/James Newton Quintet (1991 [1996], DIW) [B+]

#1991.10.07
David Murray Quartet: Black and Black (1991, Red Baron) [B+]

#1991.10.15
David Murray: Ballads for Bass Clarinet (1991 [1993], DIW) [A-]
  DM (bcl), John Hicks (p), Ray Drummond (b), Idris Muhammad (d)
   1. "Waltz to Heaven" (Murray)
   2. "New Life" (Murray)
   3. "Chazz" (Wilbur Morris)
   4. "Portrait of a Black Woman (For Mae Francis Owens)" (Murray)
   5. "Lyons Street" (Muhammad)
   6. "Elegy for Fannie Lou" (Kunle Mwanga)
looks like Murray's first bcl appearance was in 1978-12 on "Steppin'
With the World Saxophone Quartet"; first on his own albums was in
1980, on "Solo Live", then later in 1980 on "Ming", 1981 with
Clarinet Summit

#1991.10.17
David Murray Quartet + 1: Fast Life (1991, DIW) [A-]

#1991.11.03
David Murray/Milford Graves: Real Deal (1991 [1992], DIW) [A-]
  DM (ts), MG (d)
   1. "Stated With Peace" (Murray)
   2. "The Third Day" (Murray)
   3. "Luxor" (Murray)
   4. "Under & Over" (Graves)
   5. "Moving About" (Graves)
   6. "Ultimate High Priest" (Graves)
   7. "Essential Soul" (Graves)
   8. "Continuity" (Murray)
sounds like it could bump up a notch

#1992.05.25
David Murray: South of the Border (1992 [1995], DIW) [A-]

#1992.09.25
David Murray: MX (1992, Red Baron) [B]

#1993.02.12
David Murray: Body and Soul (1993, Black Saint) [B+]
  DM (ts), Sonelius Smith (p), Wilber Morris (b), Rashied Ali (d),
    Taana Running (vocal {3})
   1. "Slave Song" (Smith)
   2. "Celebration Dance" (Smith)
   3. "Body and Soul" (Green, Heyman)
   4. "Doni's Song" (Murray)
   5. "Remembering the Chief of St. Mary's (for Bob Barrett)" (Murray)
   6. "Odin" (Murray)
   7. "Cuttin' Corners" (Ali)

#1993.03.24
Donal Fox/David Murray: Ugly Beauty (1993, Evidence) [B]

#1993.08.19
David Murray: Saxmen (1993, Red Baron) [B+]
  DM (ts), John Hicks (p), Ray Drummond (b), Andrew Cyrille (d)
   1. "Lester Leaps In": for Lester Young
   2. "St. Thomas": for Sonny Rollins
   3. "Billie's Bounce": for Charlie Parker
   4. "Bright Mississippi" (Monk): for Charlie Rouse
   5. "Broadway" (Bird, McRae, Woode): for Sonny Stitt
   6. "Central Park West": for John Coltrane

#1993.08.19
David Murray: Jazzosaurus Rex (1993, Red Baron) [A]
  DM (ts), John Hicks (p), Ray Drummond (b), Andrew Cyrille (d)
   1. "Eternal Triangle" (Stitt)
   2. "Chelsea Bridge" (Strayhorn)
   3. "Jazzorsaurus Rex" (Thiele, Osser)
   4. "Mingus in the Poconos" (Murray)
   5. "Dinosaur Park Blues" (Thiele, Osser)
   6. "Ballad for David" (Drummond)
   7. "Now He's Miles Away" (Murray, Hines): narration by G'ar (George Hines)
cut same day as *Saxmen*.

#1993.09.17
David Murray Quartet: For Aunt Louise (1993 [1995], DIW) [A-]

#1992.09.xx
World Saxophone Quartet with Fontella Bass: Breath of Life
  (1994, Elektra/Nonesuch) [B+]

#1993.10.06
David Murray: Shakill's 2 (1993 [1994], DIW) [A-]
  DM (ts), Don Pullen (organ), Bill White (g), J.T. Lewis (d)
   1. "The Sixth Sense"
   2. "Blues Somewhere"
   3. "For Cynthia"
   4. "Shakill's II - My Son Mingus in the Poconos"
   5. "Crazy Tales"
   6. "One for the Don"
   7. "1529 Gunn Street"

#1993.10.19
World Saxophone Quartet: Moving Right Along (1993, Black Saint) [B-]
minus Blythe; plus Eric Person, James Spaulding

#1993.12.xx
David Murray/Dave Burrell: Windward Passages (1993, Black Saint) [A-]

#1994.02.04
David Murray Quintet With Ray Anderson and Anthony Davis (1994, DIW) [A-]

#1994.05.30
David Murray: The Tip (1994, DIW) [B+]
  DM (ts, bcl), Robert Erving III (synth, organ), Bobby Broom (g),
    Daryl Thompson (g {1,3,7}), Daryl Jones (b), Toby Williams (d),
    Kahil El'Zabar (percussion, voice {8}), Olu Dara (cornet {2}),
    G'ra (wordist {3})
   1. "Sex Machine"
   2. "Flowers for Albert"
   3. "Removen Veil"
   4. "M.D."
   5. "Kahari Romare"
   6. "The Tip"
   7. "Malinda"
   8. "One World Family"

#1994.05.30
David Murray: Jug-A-Lug (1994, DIW) [B+]

#1994.11.26
D.D. Jackson: Peace-Song (1994 [1995], Justin Time) [A-]

#1995.08.xx
David Murray: Live at the Village Vanguard (1995 [2003], 441 Records) [B+]

#1995.xx.xx
Jon Jang Sextet: Two Flowers on a Stem (1995 [1996], Soul Note) [B+]

#1996.01.18
David Murray: Dark Star: The Music of the Grateful Dead (1996, Astor Place) [B]

#1996.06.04
David Murray: Fo Deuk Revue (1996 [1997], Justin Time) [B+]

#1996.10.01
David Murray: The Long Goodbye: A Tribute to Don Pullen (1996 [1997], DIW) [A]
  DM (ts), D.D. Jackson (p), Santi Debriano (b), J.T. Lewis (d)
   1. "Gratitude" (Pullen)
   2. "Resting on the Road" (Pullen)
   3. "Out of a Storm" (Jackson)
   4. "El Matador" (Pullen)
   5. "Easy Alice" (Jackson)
   6. "Long Goodbye" (Butch Morris)
   7. "Common Ground" (Pullen)

#1996.12.01
D.D. Jackson: Paired Down, Vol. 1 (1996 [1997], Justin Time) [B+]

#1996.12.01
D.D. Jackson: Paired Down, Vol. 2 (1996 [1997], Justin Time) [B+]

#1996.xx.xx
The Roots: Illadelph Halflife (1996, DGC) [B+]

#1997.05.12
Kahil El'Zabar Trio: Love Outside of Dreams (1997 [2002], Delmark) [A-]
  KEZ (d, African d, thumb piano), DM (ts, bcl), Fred Hopkins (b)
   1. "Love Outside of Dreams" (El'Zabar)
   2. "Song for a New South Africa" (Murray)
   3. "Song of Myself" (El'Zabar)
   4. "Nia" (El'Zabar)
   5. "Meditation for the Celestial Warriors" (El'Zabar)
   6. "The Ebullient Duke" (El'Zabar)
   7. "Fred" (El'Zabar)
   8. "One World Family" (El'Zabar, Murray)

#1997.10.20
David Murray: Creole (1997, Justin Time) [A]

#1997.xx.xx
Barbara Dennerlein: Junkanoo (1997, Verve) [B+]

#1998.03.03
World Saxophone Quartet: Selim Sevad: A Tribute to Miles Davis
  (1997, Justin Time) [A-]

#1998.xx.xx
David Murray: Seasons (1998 [1999], Pow Wow) [B+]

#1998.xx.xx
David Murray/Fontella Bass: Speaking in Tongues
  (1998 [1999], Enja/Justin Time) [B]

#1998.xx.xx
World Saxophone Quartet: M'Bizo (1997-98 [1999], Justin Time) [B+]

#1998.xx.xx
Jeri Brown/Leon Thomas: Zaius (1998, Justin Time) [B]

#1999.05.01
David Murray: Octet Plays Trane (1999 [2000], Justin Time) [A-]

#1999.xx.xx
World Saxophone Quartet: Steppenwolf (1999 [2002], Justin Time) [B-]

#1999.xx.xx
World Saxophone Quartet: Requiem for Julius (1999, Justin Time) [B-]

#2000.03.29
Kahil El'Zabar With David Murray: One World Family (2000, CIMP) [B+]

#2000.03.29
Kahil El'Zabar: We Is: Live at the Bop Shop (2000 [2004], Delmark) [B+]

#2000.06.06'
David Murray Power Quartet: Like a Kiss That Never Ends
  (2000 [2001], Justin Time) [A]

#2001.02.08
Jon Jang/David Murray: River of Life (1998-2001 [2002], Asian Improv) [B+]

#2001.05.xx
Abdoulaye N'Diaye: Taoué (2001 [2003], Justin Time) [A-]

#2001.xx.xx
James Carter: Live at Baker's Keyboard Lounge
  (2001 [2004], Warner Brothers) [A-]

#2002.01.11
David Murray & the Gwo-Ka Masters: Yonn-Dé (2002, Justin Time) [A-]

#2002.06.xx'
David Murray Latin Big Band: Now Is Another Time
  (2001-02 [2003], Justin Time) [A-']

#2002.12.00
David Murray 4tet & Strings: Waltz Again (2002 [2005], Justin Time) [B-]

#2004.06.05
Henry Grimes Trio: Live at the Kerava Jazz Festival (2004 [2005], Ayler) [B+]

#2004.xx.xx
David Murray & the Gwo-Ka Masters: Gwotet (2004, Justin Time) [A]

#2004.xx.xx
World Saxophone Quartet: Experience (2004, Justin Time) [B+]

#2005.01.xx
Conjure: Bad Mouth (2005 [2006], American Clavé, 2CD) [U]