Folk Bands and Artists
Jim Murray
Jim Murray is one of Ireland’s finest guitarists. Jim’s formidable reputation has been established as a player of traditional music - both as a melody player and as an accompanist.
Born into a musical family, Jim’s early years were spent immersed in Irish music. Throughout his childhood, Jim who hails from Macroom in West Cork performed with various groups including his father’s celidh band.
Having finished school, Jim formed his own band at the age of eighteen and performed around the local Irish circuit. Two years later in 1998, Jim began his professional career being invited to tour Japan and Australia with accordion legend Seamus Begley whilst also in the same year, touring America with piano accordion ace Alan Kelly. In 1999 Jim was invited to become guitarist with world renowned Irish musician Sharon Shannon.
To this day, Jim remains Sharon’s “right hand man” having recorded and toured with her over five continents. He also released two critically acclaimed albums with long term partner Seamus Begley in 2001 and 2008 which collectively scooped many prestigious awards such as The Irish Times and Hotpress Traditional Irish Music Album of the Year. Since Jim’s arrival on the world stage, he has gained the respect of both national and international musicians and has performed and recorded with artists such as Sinead O’Connor, Steve Earl, Shane McGowan, Altan and Mary Black to mention but a few.
Jim continues to tour and record with an array of artists while basing himself in West Cork.
