Ben Murray

Ben Murray is fast becoming well known as an accordion, piano and keyboard artist, with a sensitivity in his playing that is matched by the poetry of his voice. Born into a family of musicians in the Cumbrian countryside, Ben studied sculpture before pursuing a career as a musician and singer. As a founder member of Tarras, he was nominated for a Mercury Music award and two Radio two folk awards (Best Original Song and Best Newcomer): with the band he performed in many festivals worldwide. He has released two recordings on Topic Records and one on Rounder Records in the USA, touring throughout Europe and America. He has also written music for television. In 2005, Ben was invited to record on Guo Yue’s new album, Music, Food and Love (Real World Records, 2006), and has since performed with Yue in Womad festivals (Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore) and other international venues, receiving acclaim for his emotive accompaniment and sensitive interpretation of Yue’s music. He will be joining Maltese percussionist Renzo Spiteri and Chinese flute

player Guo Yue for the concert, Sketches from Home which will be held at The Manoel Theatre on Saturday 15 March, a project initiated by Musiconnect (Malta) and is being held in partnership with Sparkasse Bank Malta, The National Lottery Good Causes Fund and The Ministry for Tourism and Culture.

Further information about the artistes and the project is available at www.musiconnectmalta.com.

How old are you? Star sign and date of birth?

30 years old, Pisces, 13 March 1977.

What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?

I would like to be a successful recording and touring artist with my own record label and studio.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A life filled with love.

What is your favourite occupation?

Musician and part-time sculptor!

Significant other?

A rare and beautiful flower from Scotland.

What is your greatest fear?

Madness.

What is it that you most value in your friends?

Loyalty.

How would you like to die?

Old and with a smile on my face.

What is your greatest

extravagance?

Expensive sunglasses.

What is your greatest regret?

I try not to have regrets.

What is your most treasured possession?

My old dog named Tag.

Which talent would you most like to have apart from the ones you already have?

I would like to be able to talk to animals.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of

misery?

Loneliness.

Where would you like to live?

Colorado in the Rocky Mountains.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Self-belief.

Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?

David Attenborough, Sitting Bull, Alan Shearer.

What is it that you most

dislike?

Ignorance.

What is your motto?

“If you can, you should.”