KEVIN WALTER MURPHY

ABOUT





ABOUT ME

Kevin Walter Murphy is a drummer, composer, and arranger based out of Los Angeles, California. Growing up in the Seattle area Kevin was immersed in a rich musical society, studying with the late Garey Williams. During these early years, Kevin performed in many honors ensembles including the All-Northwest Jazz Ensemble, as well as the Jazz Band of America.

Kevin attended the Eastman School of Music, where he studied drum set under Rich Thompson. While at the school, Kevin had the privilege to study under a many instructors and guest artists, including Clay Jenkins, Gary Versace, Jeff Campbell, Bob Sneider, Dariusz Terefenko, Dave Rivello, Jon Wikan, Anthony Pinciotti, and Peter Erskine. In addition to his studies, Kevin has had the opportunity to perform with luminaries such as, Shelly Berg, John Daversa, Wycliffe Gordon, Michael Weiss, Carmen Bradford, Tom Christensen, Gary Versace, Ingrid Jensen, Christine Jensen, Ryan Keberle, Brian Lynch, and Sara Gazarek.

Following college, he has performed at festivals such as the Aspen Jazz Festival and the Rochester International Jazz Festival; as well as venues across the country and abroad. Kevin is currently a full-time staff drummer and performer with the Walt Disney Company (Disneyland Resort). As a composer, arranger, and producer Kevin has worked and assisted on a variety of projects for clients such as the State of Nevada, the Long Beach Municipal Band, The Eastman School of Music, Disney, and many small indie creators. He has studied with pedagogues including Dariusz Terefenko, Dave Rivello, Christine Jensen, Bill Dobbins, and Dave Slonaker. His 2023 arrangement of “Early Autumn,” premiered by the award winning Eastman Jazz Ensemble, received a Downbeat Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Arrangement.



EDUCATION, WORK, EXPERIENCE, AND AWARDS