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26 Entries
Dan Molloy
July 17, 2021
Dan Molloy
July 17, 2021
Dan Molloy
July 17, 2021
I spent several years working in Toledo and quickly found a place to call home at Murphy's. I became friends with Claude and Clifford and Joan... it was like a home away from my home in NJ. I learned to appreciate Jazz in Toledo and as a vocalist got to sing a few songs with Claude. Love them all!
Gloria Williams
February 3, 2021
While attending the University of Toledo I had on her I’m going to Murphy’s club downtown as a class project to listen to jazz that’s when I met Mr. Murphy and learning from him I earn an A in music I also sit at the table with him and his daughter Debbie at Jennifer Holiday concert at MCO and to his daughter Debbie I have two plates of Mr. Murphy that I would like to give to you contact me through my email.
Ron Follas
December 21, 2019
I first heard "Murph" when I was at BGSU with Candy Johnson. Every chance I had to hear Candy, Murph, Al Johnson and Claude Black I went. I was playing bass in groups around Toledo, and even had a couple of chances to play with Candy, and Murph was a great influence on my playing. As I am finishing my orchestral career I am returning to bass and listening to recordings of Candy, Murph, et. al. Besides being a great jazz model, Murph always had time to talk and give me advice. He was a wonderful human being.
Randy Richie
December 17, 2019
So sad to her the news about Clifford. Fond memories of playing with him..first sitting in at the Hospitality Motor Inn where playing with him and Al Johnson was like being on a train! What a powerful sense of swing! And then with him for months with Ron Coleman & Clifford on electric bass teaching me the tunes by playing the roots in my ear. Always loved going to Murphy's on visits back to town to hear him & Claude and company. He was always very gracious and kind!
December 14, 2019
May the God of all comfort sustain your family during the days ahead Psalms 119:76
Odessa Jones
December 8, 2019
I send my sympathy and prayers to the family.
Loretta Dwight
December 7, 2019
Praying the peace and love of God comfort the entire Murphy family.
Patricia Allen (Osby)
December 7, 2019
I count it a great honor to have sung for Mr. Murphy in the greatest jazz place in the city and the state...Murphy's place located in downtown Toledo. He was a great soul and cared deeply for people and his music. He kept my mother's spirits up as she grew sicker when they lived in the same apartment building and, became fast friends (that's how he knew about me lol). Time to rest great one. My mother is gone and now Mr. Murphy and her can continue their stories about the south!
John Scott
December 6, 2019
RIP Murph. You were always timely. Your contributions to my musical plays endure.
Michelle Lee
December 6, 2019
Cliff and my dad Swing Lee were long time brotherly friends my dad played drums professionally & with Murphy when he would be in town.So sorry to read of his passing, now you & dad can play beautiful music up in heaven with mom & now my youngest son. Blessings Michelle Lee
Gail Randall
December 6, 2019
Dear Jackie,
I am so sorry to hear this news. What a phenomenal man he must have been and how much I wish I had had the chance to hear him play.
Sending my sympathy and love to you and your family.
Janine Harden
December 6, 2019
Praying for your family
Chris Cremean
December 5, 2019
Great man and proud veteran.
Kitty Allen
December 4, 2019
A master jazz bass player & a wonderful man. Played at his club, Murphy's, twice in the 1990's - both locations. A privilege each time. Learned more from Cliff & Claude during an evening of performance than I would have during a year of private lessons. Truly an honor to share his stage. A loss to the classic jazz scene & certainly a loss to the Toledo music community. Some legends are irreplaceable. Cliff Murphy is certainly one of them.
Regina Thompson Xadu
December 4, 2019
Sincere condolences to the Murphy family with the loss of jazz great Mr Murphy. It was he and and the whole Murphy jazz scene that further solidified my love of jazz. What a tremendous loss to the community and his family. Rest In Eternal jazz peace.
Sharon carwell
December 3, 2019
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
December 2, 2019
I enjoyed many evenings listening to Mr. Murphy. He was a jewel.
Marta Frazier
December 2, 2019
It was a pleasure to know Clifford, such a good man with always something good to say, you will never be forgotton.
Marta Frazier
December 2, 2019
I worked for him and Joan at the jazz club he was such a good man never, ever said anything negative even when negativity was present, he lived a life to be proud of.
Marta
Jackie Hicks
December 2, 2019
Mr. Murphy, you don't know me, but I was at your club to hear my nephew play. His name is Antar Martin. He was a student at Scott High School. He was so excited to play at Murphy's. Thank you for letting him play at your club.
Don Kettle
November 30, 2019
I knew Cliff for decades, all the way back to when he was with a trio at the Hospitality Inn right off of Miami street. I believe he was playing with Preston Keys, an incredible Jazz pianist, at that time. I got back in touch with him when I moved back to Toledo from Phoenix, and saw him and Claude Black many times at Murphys Place. I will truly miss this great man.
Jen Jagodzinski
November 30, 2019
I'm so sorry to hear of Cliff passing. I loved when he would come into my work all smiles and just so happy. My thoughts are with you Deb and your whole family. RIH Cliff much love and thank you for always making my day with your contagious smile and kindness.
Janet and Charles Krueger
November 30, 2019
Janet and I are so honored to have known Clifford Murphy and the Toledo community has lost a gifted musician, a giant of the jazz scene and, most importantly, a true gentle man!
We first met Clifford at Murphy's in downtown Toledo many years ago. We marveled at his kind demeanor and the size and softness of his hands and watched in awe as his fingers moved so effortlessly over the strings of his well-aged bass to fill the air with the sound of sweet low notes.
From time to time, Janet was pleased to be able to sit in as a vocalist with Clifford and his talented friends at Murphy's who so enjoyed making beautiful music together.
Even in his declining health days, Clifford would still carry his bass in and out of places like the Toledo Club for an event known as Member's Jam and he always had a soft, kind word for everyone and a disarming smile that made everyone who saw it feel so relaxed and comfortable.
Toledo, the entire music community and anyone who respects a kind, civil and talented man lost a great man when Clifford Murphy passed.
But his memory and his gift to music will live on for so many.
God bless his family and all of his so many friends and admirers.
Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results
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