This year saw the sad passing of a wonderfully talented musician from Galway, Martin Murray. Martin started his career as a young lad here in Galway in the Patrician Boys Band & the Galway Youth Orchestra before joining St Patricks Brass Band and also playing with a number of local jazz bands around town including The Moonlight Jazz Band and Black Magic Big Band.
His talent took him professional and he joined Royal Carribean Cruises in 2017, travelling the world and working his way up to becoming Musical Director of the then largest cruise ship in the world.
Regrettably in 2023 Martin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, passing away in June this year. He was only 34.
Even at a time of great difficulty in his own life, Martin was always wanting to think of and to help others. With that in mind he assembled some of the best jazz musicians in the city for a night of top class jazz music to thank the team at Cancer Care West for their wonderful care and to help ensure they could continue their work in helping so many others in Galway facing similar difficulties.
It was only three short weeks after this massively successful evening that Martin passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family in the warm care of Galway Hospice. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Inspired by the night and determined to continue his musical legacy, a number of Martin's closest friends and fellow musicians have come together to form The Martin Murray Foundation.
The Foundation intends to raise funds for those in the West facing a cancer diagnosis, as well as to encourage and support the younger talent in Galway to explore the rich benefits and camaraderie to be found in coming together to learn music.
The launch of The Martin Murray Foundation will take place in the Salthill hotel on Sunday December 15 2024 at 7pm where Martin’s friends and fellow musicians from the Moonlight Big Band will perform. Entry is free and all are welcome. So if you would like a brilliant night of jazz music, while supporting some of the city’s wonderful cancer charities, please go along.
