Jim Murray

Jim Murray is one of Ireland’s leading guitar players.  Over the last two decades Jim has toured and recorded both nationally and internationally with many of Ireland’s renowned artists.  Jim has combined a wide range of music and influences to create a unique and exciting sound in guitar accompaniment bringing it to the “now”.

Born into a musical family in County Cork, Jim’s early years were spent immersed in Irish music.  At a young age, Jim played melodies on the piano and soon after discovered his first love – the button accordion.   Jim then developed a passion for the guitar and started experimenting with accompaniment.  Jim’s talent as a melody player would now pay dividends to his accompaniment skills – he intimately understood the music he was accompanying.

In 1998, Jim began his professional career being invited to tour Japan and Australia with accordion legend Seamus Begley whilst also in the same year, touring America with piano accordion ace Alan Kelly. In 1999 Jim was invited to become guitarist with world renowned Irish musician Sharon Shannon.  To this day, Jim remains Sharon’s “right hand man” having recorded ten albums and touring with her over five continents.  In 2008 Jim and Sharon co-wrote an  original collection of music that was performed live at the Helix with the RTE Concert Orchestra.  This was also released as a live album.    Jim also released two critically acclaimed albums with long term partner Seamus Begley in 2001 and 2008 which collectively scooped many prestigious awards including The Irish Times and Hotpress Traditional Irish Music Album of the Year.  

Jim also has a wealth of teaching experience having taught masterclasses around the world. He also developed his own on-line tutorial in 2009 which has attracted thousands of students from over 100 countries. 

Since Jim’s arrival on the world stage, he has gained the respect of both national and international musicians and has performed and recorded with artists such as Sinead O’Connor, Steve Earl, Shane McGowan, Sharon Shannon, Altan, Mary Black, Seamus Begley, Donal Lunny, Mairtin O Connor and Michael McGoldrick to mention but a few.  Jim has performed on an array of TV and radio shows for BBC, RTE, TG4 and ABC including Transatlantic Sessions, The Late Late Show, Nationwide, Geantrai, Live at The Fleadh and Port.

Jim continues to tour and record with an array of artists while basing himself in West Cork with his wife and family.