James Murray is a Long Island-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer fusing jam band and progressive rock influences—like Phish, Jethro Tull, Genesis, and Yes—with introspective indie folk. His songs blend acoustic guitar, heavy electric riffs, trumpet, keyboards and jammy instrumental sections.

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Murray started piano at 5, trumpet in school bands at 8, and guitar at 13, forming high school bands where he started writing the prog epic "Drakus." At SUNY Stony Brook, he majored in computer science with a music minor, playing trumpet in the Wind Ensemble and collaborating on heavy metal projects outside of school.

 

After graduating, he balanced IT and teaching amid chronic migraines, but music sustained him—frequenting open mics and joining the jam band Diamond Jig in 2012, writing tracks like "Winter of our Discontent" and "Shining Through".

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Challenges like job instability and losses inspired his work. He released the reimagined Drakus concept album in 2018, produced with drummer/percussionist Bongo John. Singles followed: "Loom" (2021), "Back to My Shell" (2023), and "Crushed To Clay" (2024).

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In 2025, Murray dropped EP "Shells" on October 30. It includes "Raise Your Mugs" (co-written with TheGracefulBard), "Ripped Jeans," "Don't Wanna," and "Back to My Shell," earning praise like "Dynamic energy" (The Route of Rock) and 8 SubmitHub playlist adds, plus radio/blog features.

 

Currently performing with Azwel, Out of Pocket and various other friends' projects, Murray's dream goal is to collaborate with other great musicians to help usher in a new golden age of music.

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Stream Shells: https://jamesmurray.hearnow.com/shells