Alyssa Murray (b. 1992)
Updated: Aug 4, 2021
About
Always feeling a strong pull towards songwriting, Alyssa Murray studied piano, voice, and guitar in her teens deep diving into such influences as Fiona Apple and Stevie Wonder while growing up in Hays, KS. Further pursuing her passion for jazz and improvisation, she moved to Kansas City to study jazz-piano at the UMKC Conservatory while immersing herself in the local music scene. Her 2015 debut ‘As of Now’ showcases her ability to combine elements of jazz with the narrative sophistication of contemporary-folk. Alyssa has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has studied under the direction of Bobby Watson and Dan Thomas; as well as classical repertoire with Karen Kushner and Diane Petrella.
Departing from her previous sound in 2021, the electronic, indie fusion of her latest EP ‘Half & Half’ stands as a major shift in Alyssa’s artistic approach and perspective. Seeking full creative autonomy, she wrote, recorded, and produced all in-home. “It was a super charged time for me,” she says, “I hope the listener is able to take some of that transformative energy with them.” As a singer/songwriter, keyboardist, and producer, Alyssa takes after some of the very best art-pop mainstays, electronic wizards, and West Coast beat makers.
In addition to performing, Alyssa is an accompanist with the Kansas City Ballet and is involved with its community program Reach Out And Dance. She also plays for Owen/Cox Dance Group’s in-school, residency program Take the Stage.
Listen
Piano solo over Wayne Shorter's "E.S.P"
with Bryan Hicks, bass; Matt Leifer, drums; Adam Schlozman, guitar
from an August 2020 studio session at BRC Recording
"JAMMER320" from Murray's latest EP Half & Half
download here