Band leader/Pianist/Vocalist Murray McIlwraith
has been a professional musician for 25 years. In 1977 he gave up
his job as an anthropologist in Melbourne and headed for England
to pursue an unrelenting desire to sing and play jazz and modern
piano. As a child he studied classical piano, attaining his A.T.C.L
(performers) in his last year at high school.
Tuition in the UK included study at the West London Institute(Twickenham),
the Cleo Laine/John Dankworth School of Jazz and Modern Music(Wavendon),
and private lessons under some of Britians top jazz pianists, including
Brian Lemon, Bill le Sage, Pat Smythe, and Michael Garrick. He did
his ‘apprentiship’ playing and singing solo and in groups,
in London clubs, wine bars, pubs and hotels.
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Murray’s latest jazz CD ...more
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Since 1985 his dance and jazz bands have performed regularly at Auckland’s
hotels and function centers – predominately business functions,
weddings, private parties and balls.
Outside Auckland his bands have played at a number of well known venues
including Millbrook Resort and The Skyline(Queenstown), Huka Lodge(Taupo),
The Chateau(Tongariro National Park), Royal Port Nicholas Yacht Club(Wellington)
and Copthorne Resort(Bay of Islands). His bands have performed at functions
for famous celebrities including Mick Jagger, Audrey Hepburn, Joan Collins
and Robin Williams. His music is played on National Radio and has been
featured on Air New Zealand’s international in-flight entertainment.
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