BIOGRAPHY

Margaret Murphy-Webb is a Chicago based jazz musician, educator, producer and arts agitator. A graduate of Chicago State University, this award-winning international performer has been showcasing her talent in the Chicago area for over thirty years.  At age 20, Margaret began attending the Tuesday night jam sessions run by Chicago tenor saxophone great Von Freeman and under his tutelage developed her unique vocal style and showmanship.
Working as a bandleader, Margaret was nicknamed the “Queen of 75th Street” as she began performing in the many jazz clubs located on the famous strip between Cottage Grove and State Street. She has toured Germany, France, the continental US as vocalist for Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, performed for both Presidents Obama and Clinton and opened for jazz pianists Joe Sample, Chick Corea and the Tower of Power at The Chicago House of Blues. 
In 2018, Margaret was named Chicago’s Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists of America for her work as Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization, The South Side Jazz Coalition.
Margaret was a co-chair for the Year of Chicago Music 2020-21 initiative sponsored by DCASE and in January 2020, she was appointed to the City of Chicago Cultural Council. 
Margaret is a member of the Goldin Institute Chicago Peace Fellows, an international group dedicated to community activism to under-served communities and The Chicago Jazz Festival Planning Committee.

In April 2024, Margaret will release her fourth recording, an EP tribute to the great Afro-British vocalist/composer, Dam Cleo Laine.  Stay Tuned!

Click Performances for more information.


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Contact MeSSJC

     Margaret and Von Freeman
 at the New Apartment Lounge