Simple Gifts Otis Murphy, Masaki Tadenuma, Haruko Murphy, Renée Murphy, Ethan Murphy

• Ryota Ishikawa (b. 1983): The Dance of Joy:
• 1 Ishikawa: The Dance of Joy 03:43
• Traditional: Simple Gifts:
• 2 Traditional: Simple Gifts 05:09
• Ryota Ishikawa: The Goddess and Hourglass:
• 3 Ishikawa: The Goddess and Hourglass 08:09
• Songs Across the Sea: Four Songs from Japan and America:
• 4 Ishikawa: Songs Across the Sea: Four Songs from Japan and America: I. Autumn Colored Leaves (Momiji) 02:54
• 5 Ishikawa: Songs Across the Sea: Four Songs from Japan and America: II. When Johnny Comes Marching Home 02:04
• 6 Ishikawa: Songs Across the Sea: Four Songs from Japan and America: III. A Rabbit (Usagi) - The Moon Above Rain Clouds (Amefuri Otsukisan) 03:22
• 7 Ishikawa: Songs Across the Sea: Four Songs from Japan and America: IV. Back Home Again in Indiana 03:01
• James Horner (1953 - 2015): Somewhere Out There:
• 8 Horner: Somewhere Out There 04:31
• Jean-Marie Leclair (1697 - 1764): Sonata in C for Two Violins:
• 9 Leclair: Sonata in C for Two Violins: I. Allegro 04:07
• 10 Leclair: Sonata in C for Two Violins: II. Sarabanda - Largo 03:25
• 11 Leclair: Sonata in C for Two Violins: III. Allegro 04:02
• Steven Galante: The Pawn:
• 12 Galante: The Pawn 07:30
• Jay Ungar (b. 1946): Ashokan Farewell:
• 13 Ungar: Ashokan Farewell 06:45
• Total Runtime 58:42

Info for Simple Gifts

The bonds between family, friendship, and artistic collaboration take center stage on Otis Murphy, Haruko Murphy, and Masaki Tadenuma’s SIMPLE GIFTS. Bringing together musicians from the United States and Japan, this collection reflects a shared commitment to connection through music. Personal histories, cherished melodies, and new creative voices intertwine in performances that are at once intimate and far-reaching. Guided by a spirit of generosity and mutual respect, the album explores how music can transcend distance, illuminate common ground, and transform simple gestures into enduring relationships.

Otis Murphy, saxophone
Haruko Murphy, piano
Masaki Tadenuma, saxophone
Renée Murphy, harp (track 13)
Ethan Murphy, cello (tracks 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13)

Otis Murphy
is Professor of Saxophone in the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and is in demand as an international artist, performing in some 25 countries worldwide in venues including Carnegie Hall, Casals Hall (Tokyo) and Palau de la Musica (Valencia), and is a dedicated educator having taught at music schools and festivals worldwide including the Paris Conservatory, Amsterdam Conservatory, and many more. Otis loves time in the outdoors grilling, hiking, and fishing with his family.

Haruko Murphy
Born in Japan, Haruko Murphy moved to the United States with her family as a teenager. She received the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance, both with Highest Distinction, from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music as a pupil of Menahem Pressler, later continuing studies at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in the Netherlands. Murphy enjoys performing as a collaborative pianist, and she and her husband Otis live in Bloomington IN with their six children.

Masaki Tadenuma
graduated from Tokyo College of Music after completing the Tokyo College of Music High School with a special scholarship. He was a prize winner at the 28th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition. In addition to participating in many domestic concerts and performing with various orchestras, he has also appeared in Korea, Taiwan, and beyond. In recent years, he has been pursuing new possibilities for the saxophone, such as collaborations with organ. Presently, he has released two solo albums, The Moment and TADENIZE. He is currently a lecturer at Tokyo College of Music and its affiliated high school.

This album contains no booklet.