Ray Murphy
Traditional and Contemporary Irish Music

Rest in Peace Ray Murphy

It is with a very heavy heart that I write of the passing of my dear friend,
band mate, and brilliant musician Ray Murphy.

Ray started on the next leg of his journey Sunday evening August 26, 2007

I first met Ray at The Porterhouse in Montvale, NJ one Sunday afternoon in 2002 as I
was first finding my way back to the music. My bride and I were at the pub listening to,
and enjoying, the session. Ray came up to the bar to get a drink and have a smoke.
We started talking and it seemed we knew each other since the beginning of time.
He invited me to come by his session the following evening at O'Donohue's Tavern
in Nyack, NY. That was the beginning of an all too short
but unbelievably fulfilling friendship.

Of all the brilliant musicians I have had the great honor of playing music with since
finding my way back Ray certainly was one of the greatest and a brilliant mentor.
His patience with me as I beat out terribly incoherent rhythms on the bodhrán was remarkable.
It was on his hand that mine developed, it was his hand that I followed be he playing
the mandolin, banjo, or bouzouki. It was his patience and encouragement that allowed
me to gain the confidence I needed to pursue this great love of mine, traditional Irish music.
It was this very same patience and encouragement that gave me the confidence to again
pick up the guitar. It was with his encouragement that I began to sing again.

Ray was a part of Irish music beginning in the 1970's when he, John Dillon, Bill Black,
Jerry O'Sullivan, and Brian Conway were tearing up the NYC traditional Irish music scene.
He was also a brilliant Old Time mandolin player and as one member put it a “cornerstone member”
of the mandolin discussion group “Comando”. Ray was the graphic designer for the Comando
compilation CD's as well as a contributing musician. The list of Ray's contributions
to the music world is seemingly endless. I know his influence on me is for sure.

All music has suffered a great loss in Ray's passing. I am so very grateful that I had
the pleasure and honor of knowing him even for the short time that I did.
I cherish the memory of all the music and recordings we made together.

Rest in Peace my friend. I miss you. Save me a seat at that great session up there!!!

from left to right Ed Saultz, Colleen Settle, and Ray Murphy (R.I.P.)

To hear Ray playing one of his favorite polka sets click here