DAVE McMURDO

Trombone Player

Composer/Arranger

Teacher/Clinician

Conductor/Producer

Dave McMurdo is originally from Vancouver where he studied music at the University of British Columbia.  It was there that he began composing music and playing in a variety of bands including The Bob Hales Big Band.

In 1969, Dave moved to Toronto and became a respected sideman in Rob McConnell's Boss Brass, and the lead trombone player in Nimmons 'N' Nine Plus Six.

Dave has been a full-time faculty member in the Music Department at Mohawk College since 1984.  As a dedicated composer/player/clinician, he participates in numerous clinics and   music festivals throughout the year.

In 1987 and 1988, Dave received Canada Council Grants to study  composition with Bob Brookmeyer in New York City.  The Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra composed of Toronto's finest players, was created in 1988 to provide a voice for this new music.  In 1991 the orchestra toured the (then) U.S.S.R.  The orchestra's first CD titled: "The Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra", received a Juno Award nomination in 1991.  Since that time, the orchestra has recorded many original compositions by  and other famous Canadian musicians including Mike Malone, Don Thompson, Reg Schwager and Phil Nimmons on CD: “Live at the Montreal Bistro" in 1992, "Different Paths" in 1994, and "Fire & Song", a 2 CD set in May 1997, and in 2002 “Just For Now” a 2 CD set, all released by Sackville Recordings. In 1994 they were named Canada's outstanding jazz orchestra by The Jazz Report magazine. In September 2000 The Dave McMurdo Quintet featuring Mike Malone released their first CD “99 Ways”. The Quintet toured the West Coast of Canada in 2000 and presented concerts in Malaysia in 2001. Dave frequently conducts clinics for Yamaha Canada.