Energetic and in command is the best way to characterize the tall, shaven-head Jessel Murray, artistic director/conductor of the T&T National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO). Murray and the NSSO were recently featured at the President’s annual Carols by Candlelight Concert at the bandstand in the botanical gardens, Port-of-Spain. Those in attendance were treated to the melodious sound of our national instrument that reverberated sweetly in the evening breeze that kept the proceedings cool and enjoyable.
His full-time job, though, is senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, and the head of the Department of Creative Arts. He also directs the UWI Arts Chorale, co-directs the UWI Steel, and teaches advanced singing and piano as well as courses in choral methods, including conducting.
Murray is a well-travelled conductor (USA, Guyana, Suriname, Costa Rica, Japan, China) under whose leadership the NSSO has championed the original works of local composers including that of Jit Samaroo, Ray Holman and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, as well as calypso arrangements of many of the masters and classical transcriptions.
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Mr Murry you could be an excellent judge for panorama.
It was a pleasure reading this article and interview. Keep up the great work Mr. Murray!