2024 saw the sad passing of a wonderfully talented musician from Galway, Martin Murray. Martin started his career as a young lad in Galway with the Patrician Boys Band & the Galway Youth Orchestra before joining St Patricks Brass Band and also playing with a number of local jazz bands around town – The Moonlight Jazz Band and Black Magic Big Band. His talent took him professional, and he joined Royal Caribbean Cruises in 2017, travelling the world and working his way up to becoming Musical Director of the then largest cruise ship in the world. Regrettably in 2023 Martin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, passing away in June 2024. He was only 34 years old.
Even at a time of great difficulty in his own life, Martin was always wanting to think of and help others. With that in mind in May 2024 Martin assembled some of the best jazz musicians in the city for a night of top-class jazz music to thank the team at Cancer Care West for their wonderful care and to help ensure they could continue their work in helping so many others in Galway facing similar difficulties. It was only three short weeks after this massively successful evening that Martin passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family in the warm care of Galway Hospice.
Inspired by the night and determined to continue his musical legacy, a number of Martin’s closest friends and fellow musicians have come together to form The Martin Murray Foundation. The Foundation intends to raise funds for those in the West facing a cancer diagnosis, as well as to encourage and support the younger talent in Galway to explore the rich benefits and camaraderie to be found in coming together to learn music.
- To advance health and relieve suffering by proving financial and other support to Cancer Care West, Galway Hospice, and similar organizations, thereby enhance the care, support and resource available to individuals and families affected by cancer in the community.
- To promote the education, development, and well-being of young people by funding and supporting programs, resources and initiatives that offer music education and related opportunities, fostering creativity, self-expression and personal growth.
- To promote and fundraise for charitable purposes within the community, particularly in areas of healthcare and educational advancements, to positively impact and enrich the lives of those we serve.
- To foster public awareness and engagement in both health-related and educational causes, encouraging community involvement, volunteerism, and support for initiatives that enhance the quality of life for individuals facing cancer and young people pursuing music education.
