Maurice Murphy was born in the district of Hammersmith, London, in 1935. When he was four, the family moved to the north of England where he began learning the cornet at the age of six from his father, who was a member of the local Salvation Army Band. He entered the brass band movement and eventually became the All British Junior Champion cornet soloist in 1947. His brass band career blossomed, culminating in the position of solo cornet with the world famous Black Dyke Mills Band. In 1961 he was appointed Principal Trumpet of the BBC Northern Orchestra. This period lasted fifteen years. In 1976 he accepted the Principal trumpet chair in the London Symphony Orchestra. Besides his solo recitals and concerto engagements in many countries, his distinctive sound can be heard on many film soundtracks. Maurice Murphy continues to be in demand as a soloist, session player and symphonic artist both in Britain and abroad.
