Known for his soulful tone, trombonist, baritone player, composer, and arranger, Andrae Murchison is a native of Savannah, Georgia, where he first discovered music with his grandparents and mother at church. He composes and plays music from his heart and soul and remains faithful and true to his spiritual foundation. He documents time through musical prayer, testimony, and revelation while conversing with the elders and honoring the ancestors. Focusing on delivering a message of grace and truth, his music navigates through the roots of negro spirituals, the body and soul of rhythm and blues, and the spirit of jazz.
Andrae began studying trombone and baritone horn at Hubert Middle School with Hugh Johnson. He later discovered jazz at Savannah Arts Academy and joined the Blue Light Jazz Band under the direction of Michael Hutchinson and the mentorship of Teddy Adams. He earned his academic degrees from Oberlin Conservatory (Bachelor of Jazz Studies) and Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music (Masters of Arts), where he was mentored by Robin Eubanks and Steve Turre.
After completing his formal studies, he resided in New York City. He began touring the world intensively while serving as a trombonist with The Skatalites, Abdullah Ibrahim and Ekaya, and The Duke Ellington Orchestra. He has also worked with Roy Hargrove, The Count Basie Orchestra, The Lionel Hampton Orchestra, The Trombone Summit with Slide Hampton and Curtis Fuller, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Ravi Coltrane, Monty Alexander, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Harry Connick Jr., Dennis Edwards and the Temptations, Postmodern Jukebox, the Sun Ra Arkestra, and René Marie. He has also performed with famous artists, including Common, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, Demi Lovato, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Jason Mraz, and many more.
While maintaining a successful career as a sideman, Andrae also leads his ensemble called Murch Church, which has produced six studio recordings that feature Gregory Porter, Sharp Radway, Corcoran Holt, Jerome Jennings, Emanuel Harrold, Zem Audu, Freddie Hendrix, Keyon Harrold, McClenty Hunter, Jonathan Blake, Mazz Swift, Belden Bullock, Walter Parks, Parker McAllister, Brian Cockerham, Stantawn Kendrick, Jay Gandhi, TW Sample, Brian Williams, LeShawn Thomas, Kevin Smith, Henry Connerway, and Savannah Grace. He has collaborated with fellow artists, including the California Honeydrops, Courtney Bryan, and Kassa Overall.
Andrae cultivates a mission for soul salvation, to heal the land and uplift the nation with his newest spiritually soulful solo horn debut album, “The Horn Of Salvation”.