Alex McMurray has been writing songs, playing guitar and singing in New Orleans since the late Eighties. Along the way he has washed dishes, dug ditches, been signed to a label deal, substitute taught grade school, nearly died from a mysterious lung ailment and even moved away twice, yet never once did any of these things affect his mild, sunny disposition. Alex came to New Orleans from New Jersey in 1987 to attend Tulane University, and quickly became involved in the local music scene. He played in the venerated Vince Behrman Trio and after graduation joined with Uptown Funk legend Mike Ward and Reward as well as seventh ward rastas Ben Hunter and Crucial Roots.
In 2000 McMurray started the New Orleans rock steady anomaly 007 with Jeffrey Clemens of G-Love and Special Sauce, Joe Cabral of the Iguanas and Jonathan Freilich, the evil genius responsible for the Naked Orchestra and the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars. They released their CD "Studied Rudeness" in 2004 and have been perennial winners in the world music category at the New Orleans Big Easy and Offbeat awards.
In 2004 Alex packed his bags after 17 years in the Crescent City and moved to New York City, where he played regularly throughout the Northeast. He returned often, however, to his longtime adopted home to perform on his own, with the Tin Men and 007.
On February 1, 2006 McMurray, along with his wife, the artist Kourtney Keller and their three cats, moved back to New Orleans. Among the myriad projects McMurray is currently involved with are Chazfest, New Orleans' original 9th ward music festival alternative; the Fifth Season Cinema Tuesday nights in the summer; the Schatzy band; the Happy Talk Band; 00Doug/Alex, as well as 007 and The Tin Men. Alex, Kourtney and the cats make their home in the Bywater.
In 2000 McMurray started the New Orleans rock steady anomaly 007 with Jeffrey Clemens of G-Love and Special Sauce, Joe Cabral of the Iguanas and Jonathan Freilich, the evil genius responsible for the Naked Orchestra and the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars. They released their CD "Studied Rudeness" in 2004 and have been perennial winners in the world music category at the New Orleans Big Easy and Offbeat awards.
In 2004 Alex packed his bags after 17 years in the Crescent City and moved to New York City, where he played regularly throughout the Northeast. He returned often, however, to his longtime adopted home to perform on his own, with the Tin Men and 007.
On February 1, 2006 McMurray, along with his wife, the artist Kourtney Keller and their three cats, moved back to New Orleans. Among the myriad projects McMurray is currently involved with are Chazfest, New Orleans' original 9th ward music festival alternative; the Fifth Season Cinema Tuesday nights in the summer; the Schatzy band; the Happy Talk Band; 00Doug/Alex, as well as 007 and The Tin Men. Alex, Kourtney and the cats make their home in the Bywater.
