Keith is a native of Newfoundland, Canada, and this has been the source for many of his songs over the years. His light expressive
singing is equally suited to French Canadian song which is another important aspect of his repertoire. Instrumentally, Keith
fills many chairs. He is well known for his Irish style DADGAD guitar playing as well as for his expertise on mandolin and
piano. French Canadian foot percussion is frequently part of his compelling rhythmic presence. He is a much sought after accompanist
for both dance and concert. Keith's most recent project is the publication of a book of original tunes entitled Black Isle
MusicSavannah Morning News
An interview with Keith Murphy of Nightingale
By John Stoehr
Savannah Morning News Music Critic
Multi-instrumentalist Keith Murphy has been involved in the musics
of Scotland, Ireland and France since was a young boy.
His mother was from Scotland and though there was only a small Scottish
population in her new home of Newfoundland, Canada, she prospered as an instructor of traditional Scottish dancing.
Dancing and music go hand-in-hand and it was in this climate that
young Keith -- now leader of the traditional music trio Nightingale -- began learning the subtle differences between musics
that can seem all of a piece to the untrained ear.
"If you're not accustomed to these styles of music then they can
seem to be one and the same," says Murphy. "But once you develop a familiarity with them, they become vastly different and,
therefore, more satisfying. Styles tend to overlap, this is true. But there are distinctions between styles of music."
Nightingale's, indeed, finds its roots in French Canada, Newfoundland,
Ireland, Southern France, Scandinavia and Scotland.
But each region had its own telltale signs -- like the less symmetrical
rhythmic character of French Canadian reels, often called "crooked tunes." They are similar to Appalachian music, but only
similar, not the same.
The traditional Scottish dance scene eventually led Murphy to what's
called contra dancing. This involvement led him to cross paths with Becky Tracy and Jeremiah McLane 10 years ago. With Murphy
(vocals, piano, guitar and percussion), Tracy (fiddle) and McLane (accordion), Nightingale was born.
Contemporary contra dancing comes from an old New England style of
dance begun in the Colonial era as a mix of English, Irish and Scottish styles. It had long died out until the early 1970s
when "hippies," as Murphy puts it, revived interest in the lost folk art. Since then, the activity has grown beyond fad, exploding
across the country in the form of festivals and workshops.
"Traditional music is more prevalent here," Murphy says from his
current home in Vermont, "Everyone here has heard this kind of music."
Murphy points out that Nightingale does more than provide accompaniment
to dancers. It's natural for them to be involved in the contra dance movement. (In fact, Tracy's family invests time and money
in organizing and calling contra dances.)
But they also appeal to the concert-going crowd. Their live performance
features a mix of traditional music and creative originals that re-tooled the buoyant spirit of the Old Country.
The trio had recorded two records, the first called "The Coming Dawn"
and the second "Sometime When the Moon Is High." A third album is in the works, starting this January.
And the three participate in side projects and other groups. (For
instance, Murphy plays in Assembly, a jazzier contemporary approach to trad music that's been featured on the soundtrack to
"American Wake.")"
