Scott Murphy

Scott Murphy (b. 1991) is an award-winning Scottish saxophonist, composer, and bandleader who has established a significant presence in the Asian jazz scene. His musical journey began at age twelve with the Dumfries Youth Jazz Group, eventually leading him to become the lead tenor saxophonist for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland (NYJOS) and the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra (TSYJO). He studied under the tutelage of Scottish saxophone icon Prof. Tommy Smith at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, graduating with honors in 2014. After a productive period in Kuala Lumpur, where he was a central figure in the local music scene and a member of the Malaysian ensemble NewSound, Murphy relocated to Hong Kong in 2018. His career is marked by a remarkable versatility, spanning jazz, rock, pop, and electronic music. He has performed and recorded with a diverse array of global artists, including Grammy winners and jazz luminaries such as Kendrick Scott, Will Vinson, Janek Gwizdala, Randy Brecker, and Arild Andersen, as well as pop icons like Billy Ocean, Hins Cheung (張敬軒), and George Lam (林子祥). As a composer, Murphy has received commissions from the BBC and major festivals like the Hong Kong Freespace Jazz Festival. He was also a key member of the Scottish instrumental collective Fat-Suit. In April 2024, he released his debut album as a leader, "a dream of form," featuring Janek Gwizdala, Daniel Chu, and Padget "Fresh Kid" Nanton III. Murphy has appeared at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide, including the Montreux, London, and Singapore Jazz Festivals, and has been featured on BBC Radio 1, 3, and Scotland.