Biography
Affectionately known as "M and M" to her musical family, Margaret has been singing professionally in the Chicagoland area for over twenty-five years. She developed her unique vocal style and showmanship under the tutelage of world renown tenor saxophonist Von Freeman with whom she shared the stage at the Taste of Chicago, The Chicago Jazz Festival, Andy's, Pete Miller's, Pops, The Jazz Showcase, and many other venues.
Margaret has performed with George Freeman, Dee Alexander, Jennifer Graham, Sue Conway, Henry Johnson, "Young" John Young, Sonny Seals, Eldee Young, Ari Brown, Duke Payne, "Chicago Young Lions" Maurice Brown and Corey Wilkes, Mike Logan, Mike Manson, Billie Dickens, Audley Reid, The Grady Johnson Quartet, The John Wright Quartet, The late great Eldee Young, The Associates Wedding Band, Theodis Rodgers, Rankinfyle and other great Chicago musicians and vocalists. As leader of her own quartet, she opened for jazz pianists, Joe Sample and Chick Corea and she has performed for both Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Margaret became one of the "Pump Room Girls," entertaining at Chicago's legendary Pump Room in the Ambassador East Hotel for a six month engagement; she then joined the Grammy nominated Mississippi Heat Blues Band and with the great Katherine Davis, she opened the 1998 Chicago Blues Festival in the famous Petrillo Bandshell. Margaret headlined the popular ETA Mondays Jazz series in 2005 and with her talented husband Chuck Webb in 2008. She also performed with her quartet at Navy Pier's Beer Garden for the Summer 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons. Margaret’s voice, in a duet with vocalist/ keyboardist Michael Logan, is featured on the theme song for the film “Pieces of A Dream," which is currently in distribution and can be seen on DVD. She can also be heard on radio station QFM, singing the jingle for this Jazz and Blues station in the Canary Islands.
In April, 2007, Margaret produced and performed in the widely acclaimed show "Three For Jazz" at the DuSable Museum of African American History. The show also featured Chicago jazz vocalists, Tecora Rogers and Marc Courtney Johnson. In May, 2007, she performed with Stevie Legend on the Carnival cruiseship "Glory" traveling to Nassau and the Virgin Islands. In Summer 2008 and 2009, Margaret performed with her group at Wabash Bash, The Clarendon Park Unity Festival and The Chicago Sun Festival all sponsored by the Chicago Park District.
As vocalist with the Charlie Johnson Quartet, Margaret produced their debut CD, "Moment's Notice." Her latest effort, produced by husband, bassist Chuck Webb, is entitled "In Full Bloom." This combination of straight ahead and smooth jazz favorites by Dizzy Gillispie, Al Jarreau, Sade, Bette Midler and others has been added to the playlists of independent radio stations throughout the United States, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain and Macedonia. Margaret was awarded a Grindie, (independent radio's Grammy) for "Best Jazz Vocals" on her cover of the Sade song "Pearls." Margaret is recognized as a RadioIndy Gold Artist for outstanding vocals and production on a jazz CD.
The Margaret Murphy Quartet can be seen in venues throughout Illinois and Indiana throughout 2010. Just click Performances for a schedule of events.
