My latest record, March of the Gene Keys, will be released on April 23, 2026 on PJCE Records. It will be available on all major streaming platforms then and can be found on the PJCE Records Bandcamp page.

Contemplative, Playful, and Eclectic: Mike Murray Finds His Sound on PJCE Records with March of the Gene Keys.

PJCE Records, Portland's most active jazz record label, is proud to announce the upcoming release of March of the Gene Keys, a contemplative guitar trio album with delicate beauty by Mike Murray. This captivating album marks the end of an extensive search by Murray to find musicians that fully embrace his vision - a vision that brings a wide range of influences and approaches to improvised music that result in a collection of works that are dynamic, playful and evocative. Shawn Wang (bass) and PJCE Records stablemate Chris Lee (drums) certainly share Murray’s vision and provide the constant interplay and sensitivity that his music demands. From the shifting meters of “The Sacred Now” and “Cluster Cuss” to the harmonic density of “Fuss with Russ” (dedicated to mentor George Russell), to the noise influenced opening of the title track, to the Arnold Schoenberg meets Charles Mingus feel of “HUS Blues” or the lyricism of “Here and There” this music covers a lot of territory. Four of the tracks feature the acoustic guitar (both nylon and steel string) giving the music a wide color palette for this format. The record is largely inspired by a book called The Gene Keys by Richard Rudd which takes a deep dive into the journey of self discovery.

releases April 23, 2026

Mike Murray - guitar
Shawn Wang - bass
Chris Lee - drums

Total Run Time 71 minutes
Recorded by Bob Stark
Mixed by Bob Stark
Recorded at Jackpot! Recording Studio
Recording date: October 6-7, 2025
Mastered by: Bob Stark
Executive Producer: Ryan Meagher
Art by Tiny Little Hammers

PJCER 073

Liquify

Duo with bassist Scott Thornton recorded in 2002 for RIMWorks Music.

Guitarist Mike Murray and bassist Scott Thornton engage in a thoughtful set of duos that consist of six improvisations, two compositions by Murray ("Points" and "Excerpt #4") and an adaptation of Charles Ives' "Soliloquy". Murray plays both acoustic and electric guitars and he uses electronics to augment his guitar work. Murray doesn't just use them to wow the listener with whiz-bang effects, but mainly to vary his tone from a brittle staccato attack to lush reverberating string work (particularly noticeable is the way he lets chords linger toward the end of the first improvisation). Thornton's bass has a big, woody tone and he plays his instrument with a forceful intensity. His arco work really stands out. On "Points" his low, dolorous lines complement Murray nicely from the arpeggiated opening to the harmonics that conclude the piece. The general tenor of these duets is one of thoughtful interplay. They're two players who seem to know each other well and are listening intently to each other. As the title suggests, the music ebbs and flows with swirls and eddies. Liquify is an engaging listen.

-- Robert Iannapollo - Cadence Magazine

An adventurous, deep listening experience. Obviously these guys know each other well. They listen deeply but not the kind where one waits for the other and just reacts but instead there is an underlying intensity that continually builds, swirls, rolls around in any direction. Sometimes melodic and flowing, other times jagged and abstract this recording holds up (and even gets better) with each listen.

--Jon Randall

String Scapes volume 1 - the planets

Improvised live loops and electronics recorded in real time. All sounds triggered from guitar.

Cycles, Time and Movement

Solo acoustic guitar recorded in 2006 for RIMworks Music.

A solo set of original compositions from a dynamic player. From the near melancholy feel of "Here and There" to the urgency and aggression in the climax of "Stitch" this disc covers wide ground. There are levels of texture, moving inner voices and harmonic shifts that enforce a focus on music for its own sake. A recommended listen.

--Dale Powell