Dave McMurray - I LOVE LIFE even when I’m hurting

I LOVE LIFE even when I’m hurting, the title of the new album from saxophonist Dave McMurray, is an affirmation of his indomitable spirit. It’s also a celebration of the love that he has for his hometown of Detroit, and for the many Detroit musicians with which he’s collaborated including guitarist Wayne Gerard, bassist Ibrahim Jones, vocalist Herschel Boone, keyboardists Luis Resto and Maurice O’Neal, drummer Jeff Canady and percussionist Mahindi Masai. The album also features special guests including bassist Don Was and vocalist Kem. McMurray wrote six of the nine compositions, all of which burst with soulful melodicism, emotional immediacy, and irresistible grooves. McMurray conceived of the title after having a deep discussion about the death of a friend who had been worn down by illness, eventually giving up and dying alone. McMurray’s response to that painful revelation was one of resilience: “Man, I love life even when I’m hurting.” Afterward McMurray wrote down that statement because it meant so much to him. “That ended up being the album title, because I kind of wrote songs around that,” he explained, “songs about positivity.”