Once upon a time, or maybe twice…
Originating from the streets of Owen Sound, Ontario; the Eighth Street Orchestra originally began in 2010 as a family band under the direction of Gary Murphy, a multi-instrumentalist renown on the Ontario Folk circuit as a singer and guitarist.
… in a land they called New Orleans North
The Eighth Street Orchestra performed on the streets and at local markets and festivals, slowly attracting attention from audiences around the world, including members of the world famous Sun Ra Arkestra. In it’s formative years, the ESO collected an assorted cast of musicians of all ages, becoming a truly diverse jazz band, and exploring the music of artists like Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver, Bing Crosby and of course Louis Armstrong.
The Orchestra could be found year-round at parks, bandshells, town halls, cafes and taverns, bowling alleys, street festivals and street corners from Stratford to Tobermory, and eventually to Kensington Market where a chance encounter led to a feature set at Toronto’s famous Grossman’s Tavern.
“At school the kids would play for marks or festival adjudicators, for technical accuracy. I wanted them to also understand why we play music: we play for people.”
Dad
The sons of Gary Murphy, Nolan & Kaelin Murphy got older, and began working with musicians in Toronto and the surrounding area. Eventually, the Eighth Street Orchestra was re-formed, lead by Nolan Murphy, featuring some of the worlds finest young jazz and folk musicians. Nolan and the Eighth Street Orchestra began exploring new territory, combining traditional jazz with more modern techniques and ideas, creating a unique sound and identity, described as “Louis Armstrong in the 21st Century.”
Don’t copy the old sound, copy the original intention! What rocked them in 1922 doesn’t shake it so much in 2022.
Dad
Today, the Eighth Street Orchestra continues to perform historic music in iconic traditional styles, as well their own unique flavour of music, even performing modern music in traditional styles, and original compositions written in authentic historic fashions!