Murphy's Blues
Jim Murphy performing

Murphy's Blues

Jim Murphy

Jim Murphy on the red Stratocaster
Jim Murphy in profile under the stage lights
Bass and guitar on stage
Murphy's Blues performing in a crowded club
Keyboardist singing at the Hammond XK-1
Vocalists under pink stage lights
Singer with eyes closed
Guitarist in a red shirt on a white hollow-body
Bassist on a blue Fender Jazz bass
Vocalists side by side
Full band on stage with horns and vocalists

History

Murphy's Blues took shape in 2004 at the Rynborn Blues Club in Keene, New Hampshire—a room that became both a proving ground and a creative home.

Led by Jim Murphy, the band evolved organically, featuring a rotating cast of talented local and regional players, including strong rhythm sections, expressive keyboards, horns, and layered vocals. What remained constant was the emphasis on groove, feel, and emotional honesty. Murphy’s Blues became known for performances that felt more like shared experiences than shows—music meant to move bodies and open hearts.

After a long and vibrant run, the pandemic brought the Rynborn era of the band to a close. In the years since, Jim Murphy has re-formed and re-imagined Murphy’s Blues with new collaborators. Nova Arts in Keene has become the band’s new home base, providing a welcoming community space where the music can continue to grow.

Today’s Murphy’s Blues carries forward the spirit of the Rynborn years while allowing the band to evolve. It remains grounded in the same values that shaped it from the beginning: soulful expression, musical authenticity, deep groove, and community connection.

Archive

Photo History

From the Rynborn in 2004 until 2025 at Nova Arts.