Visiting artist Dr. Joseph Murphy showcased a lifetime’s worth of musical finesse to UT Martin students at the Blankenship Recital Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.
Dr. Murphy had been the saxophone professor at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania for nearly 40 years before his visit to UT Martin, meriting a music career that included an abundance of awards, including a Fulbright Award and a positive review from the New York Times.
Murphy began his recital with a variety of intricate pieces on his alto saxophone, many of which were originally written for other woodwind instruments such as the flute and the oboe. These pieces included Bulgarious by Anna Socolofsky, Second Flight by Joan Tower, Quiet Hearts, a Kaddish by Marilyn Shrude and Mist Fantasy by Viet Cuong. Murphy articulated every last note of these pieces to the finest degree, awing students as his hands slid up and down the neck of the saxophone.
UT Martin’s very own Dr. Douglas Owens joined Murphy for a creative piece titled Six Barefoot Dances, written by John David Lamb. He then proceeded to take out his soprano saxophone and perform other impressive pieces such as Six Riffs After Ovid by Michael Daugherty, Sweet Tooth by Stacy Garrop, Carnevale by Christian Lauba and Sax Life by Paquito d’Rivera.
Murphy ended his final piece with much applause and showed gratitude for the students’ attendance.
Photo Credit / Grace Kennedy
Photo Credit / Grace Kennedy
Photo Credit / Grace Kennedy
