"Orla Murphy has a voice as warm, lyrical and expressive - as she is herself." TINA MAY, Jazz Vocalist & Director of the Loire Vocal Jazz Summer School

Orla Murphy, Jazz Vocalist, has been active now on the London jazz scene for the last couple of years and makes her debut at this year’s Riverfront Jazz Festival.  Orla has performed with a range of highly regarded UK-based jazz musicians at various venues all over London as well as performances throughout the UK, Scotland and Ireland.  Notable jazz venues in which Orla has performed in include the Progress Bar, the Croydon Clocktower, The Baltic Restaurant in Southwark, the Dysart Arms in Richmond, the Bank Restaurant in Aldwych, and at Soho Pizzeria.  In November 2006, Orla will be Guest Vocalist at the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh, and in January 2007 will perform with her quartet at the National Portrait Gallery. 

Last year Orla sang with two of Europe's leading contemporary jazz guitarists, notably Sandro Gibellini in Certaldo, Italy (August 2005) and again with him as part of his north-west tour of Ireland in Sligo (February 2006); and with Mike Nielsen at the Sligo Jazz Festival, Ireland (October 2005).

Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, her passion for music was passed down the generations from her grandfather to her father, both self-taught traditional Irish fiddlers. Upon graduating from Newcastle University, Orla returned to Belfast and was involved in an influential jazz scene when her brother opened a music venue in her father's bar called ‘The Bridge’. Unique to Belfast, this venue played host to local and international jazz musicians such as Mike Nielsen, the Guilfoyle brothers, Miles Drennan, Paul Dunmall, Jean Touissant and Hugh Fraser.  After singing with these accomplished musicians into the wee small hours at post-gig parties, Orla knew her future lay in jazz singing. She then went to live in New York for two years and whilst there was able to absorb and draw inspiration from its vibrant jazz community.

Following this, she moved to London to embark on her ambition to sing jazz professionally, and completed various jazz and soul singing courses at the City Lit and at Morley College.  She has also attended various masterclasses and intensive residential jazz vocal workshops - in the UK, France, Italy and Ireland - where she received training by such inspirational jazz vocalists as Tina May, Anita Wardell, and Ian Shaw.

More details of Orla’s forthcoming performances can be viewed on her website at www.orlamurphy.com