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Clifford T. Murphy

1932 - 2019

Clifford T. Murphy obituary, 1932-2019, Toledo, OH

Clifford Murphy Obituary

(News story) Clifford T. Murphy, one of the most revered jazz musicians in a city known for producing many great ones, died Wednesday in ProMedica Toledo Hospital from multiple health issues. He was 87.

Mr. Murphy's ailments included diabetes and kidney disease, the latter of which resulted in kidney dialysis treatments three times a week in recent years.

Both legs were cut off below the knee because of serious infections, starting with his left one in November, 2014.

Eleven months later, his right leg was amputated as well. But his health rapidly went downhill after a traffic accident Oct. 3, which left him with a broken femur. He returned to his residence at Merit House, 4645 Lewis Ave., following a month of hospitalization, but the ordeal and the ensuing complications exacerbated his decline, his daughter, Deborah Murphy, said.

"We're happy about him no longer suffering and being in pain," she said. "He finally let go."

Mr. Murphy was a bassist who impressed people by how effortlessly his unusually large, bear-like hands glided across his instrument's strings. But to hundreds of musicians - many of whom went on to play professionally across America - Mr. Murphy was the more calming, gentle, and reassuring half of a duo that for several decades took it upon themselves to teach young people how to play jazz through real-life nightclub experience.

Mr. Murphy and his longtime musical sidekick, jazz pianist Claude Black, performed together from the late 1940s until Mr. Black died of cancer in 2013. Much of it was at the now-defunct club called Murphy's Place in downtown Toledo that Mr. Murphy and his partner, the late Joan Russell, operated for years. The Murphys - the house band anchored by Mr. Murphy and Mr. Black - played as many as six nights a week.

Michael Whitty, who played trombone and piano on and off with those two since 2000, said he put plans to move to Florida on hold until Mr. Murphy stopped performing in 2016. Mr. Whitty, who now lives in the Tampa area, said he felt so indebted to Mr. Murphy that he told him he would carry his bass and "carry him, if necessary" to gigs after Murphy's Place closed just so his aging mentor could continue to perform at other venues, such as the Toledo Club.

"I'm just happy that he doesn't have to suffer anymore," Mr. Whitty said. "He was a beautiful human being. He was encouraging to anyone who wanted to learn the art form."

He said he was impressed how Mr. Murphy "was all smiles" and "acted like nothing was wrong" even when people knew he was in pain recently, adding that he "didn't dwell on the negatives."

Sean Dobbins, a Detroit-area drummer and Wayne State University faculty member, said he turned down his chance for a University of Michigan music scholarship to instead perform with Mr. Murphy and Mr. Black at Murphy's Place after high school, adding that he knew in his heart it was an important hands-on opportunity he couldn't pass up. He played in a trio with them for eight years, from 1993 to 2001, and continued to come back to sit in with those two in subsequent years.

"That was my university. That's where I learned to play," Mr. Dobbins said.

Jazz has had its share of drug abuse over the years. Mr. Dobbins said Mr. Murphy encouraged him and other aspiring musicians to stay away from drugs and "build the person before you build the musician."

"Young people wanted to be around him because he genuinely cared about them," Mr. Dobbins said. "He was always accessible. He was always answering questions. Clifford made people feel confident."

Toledo-area jazz vocalists Lori Lefevre Johnson and Morgan Platt Stiegler also recall him fondly.

"Clifford was a kind and gentle big bear of a man who left a huge legacy of jazz in our community. He was a mentor for so many young jazz players, offering support and encouragement, a big smile and a warm hug," Ms. Lefevre Johnson said. "I was blessed to sing with Clifford [Murphy] and Claude Black at Murphy's Place where I learned so much about jazz, about performing, and about love and support for your fellow musicians. Clifford was a musical giant full of love for the music and for all who were lucky enough to share the stage with him. He could play any jazz standard in any key and play it right."

One of Toledo's best-known blues guitarists, Patrick Lewandowski said Mr. Murphy used to sneak sandwiches to homeless people through the Murphy's Place kitchen doorway.

"Joan would get mad about it, but he did it anyway," said Mr. Lewandowski, a founding member and longtime music director of Tent City, the biggest annual event of the homeless awareness group, 1Matters.

Dave Gierke, Toledo School for the Arts development director, said Mr. Murphy and Ms. Russell "were one of the first to embrace" the fledgling charter school's commitment to the downtown area when it began holding classes in 1999.

He described Mr. Murphy and Mr. Black as "mentors and surrogate instructors to our students and the impression still exists within our alumni."

Mr. Murphy was born Feb. 5, 1932 in Toledo.

He attended Robinson Junior HIgh School, where he played football and basketball, then went on to Scott High School but did not graduate.

His parents allowed him to enter the military in 1949 at age 17, before the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25, 1950. He was stationed in Japan before being sent over to fight in Korea.

An Army infantryman, Mr. Murphy earned two Purple Hearts and three Bronze stars.

In a 2017 interview, he told The Blade that his father, the Rev. Robert Murphy, had a great influence on him as a child.

Being in the church choir whetted his appetite for music, he said.

An aunt wanted him to play saxophone.

"But all I heard were bass tones," Mr. Murphy said back then.

He bought his first bass after returning home from Korea, riding a bus downtown with his mother. It was so big he couldn't get it through the bus doorway. So he carried it two miles home.

For years, local jazz historian-photographer Doug Swiatecki visited Mr. Murphy on a weekly basis while working on a book he is doing about Toledo's jazz history. He said he is devoting an entire chapter to Mr. Murphy and finds himself trimming because there is such a deep connection.

One thing many people probably don't know: As a young boy, probably 8 or 10 years old, Mr. Murphy sat inside the home of Toledo's Art Tatum - widely viewed as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time - to hear him practice later in his career when he came back to town from New York.

Mr. Swiatecki said he's aware of only one other musician alive today, Toledo-born jazz pianist Stanley Cowell, who has a connection to Mr. Tatum.

He said Mr. Murphy was inspired to become a bassist by the great Ray Brown, a bassist who was once jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald's husband and a member of her band.

"Clifford is emblematic of the history of jazz," Mr. Swiatecki said, referring to an era in which masters "learned from their elders."

"You could use the word 'icon.' He was literally and figuratively a giant of jazz. But these words fall short," he said. "The guy was just loved by everyone."

Plans are being made for a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Dec. 7, preceded by several hours of visitation the night before. Locations have not been confirmed yet. Arrangements are being handled by the House of Day Funeral Service, 2550 Nebraska Ave., Toledo.

The Toledo jazz community has honored Mr. Murphy with annual birthday celebrations each February for several years now.

Ms. Platt Stiegler summed up her thoughts with these words:

"Fly high and rest easy, Clifford," she said. "We love you. Jazz loves you. Music loves you."

This is a news story by Tom Henry. Contact him at [email protected], 419-724-6079, or via Twitter @ecowriterohio.
Published by The Blade on Nov. 30, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Clifford Murphy

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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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Funeral services provided by:

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2550 Nebraska Ave., Toledo, OH 43607

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