Murph & Friends

The instrumental group, Muph & Friends, has been performing standard jazz & swing music as a duo, trio, quartet or quintet  in the region for over 20 years!  Performances have included conventions, weddings, receptions, banquets, and dances as well as other types of events.

The “Friends” portion of the group draws from a small pool of fine musicians in the region who join the patriarch of the group, Murph Monahan, in striving to provide enjoyable listenable music for various events. The current edition of Murph & Friends includes Murph on clarinet, saxes, and vibraphone, Terrell Spence on keyboard,  Mark Law on bass and Bruce Reinhart on drums.

Murph has been making music in the region for over 50 years. He has played in many different bands and ensembles over the years  and is noted for his capacity to be a “triple threat” on clarinet, saxes and vibraphone. Murph is noted for his warm, smooth saxophone sound.

Terrell Spence, playing keyboard, moved to the region over 20 years ago and met Murph by phone before moving from New Jersey.  The story goes that Murph invited Terrell, without ever hearing him, to play a gig the week after he was to arrive in South Dakota. They have been making music together ever since.

Mark Law is the electric bass player.  Mark has performed with a variety of bands in the region over the years with styles ranging from pop to rock to country to jazz and swing.

Bruce Reinhart plays drums with these seasoned performers.  His talents and music experience include teaching both publicly and privately.  Bruce is also an accomplished pianist.