“I’ve always been less fussed about a traditional big band lineup and sound, but more focused on a curated large ensemble of improvisers with their own unique sound.”
Olivia Murphy’s debut orchestral album is, in her words, “all about transformation”. Us at PRXLUDES have been privileged to witness the transformation of Olivia Murphy’s flagship ensemble, the Olivia Murphy Jazz Orchestra (OMJO), from the release of their debut EP Somewhere, Not So Far Away in 2022, to becoming one of the UK’s leading jazz orchestras, performing sold-out shows across the country, and now releasing their debut album, Fateful Birds & Fledging Stories — which released on 8 May 2026.
With inspiration from Greek myth to Super Mario, instrumentation including bass flutes and mezzo sopranos, and free improvisation weaved into intricate compositions: the Olivia Murphy Jazz Orchestra (OMJO) is heartfelt then silly, orderly then raucous but always astonishingly original, featuring some of the most impressive improvisers in the UK. Since its formation in early 2022, OMJO, directed by multi-award-winning composer Olivia Murphy, has performed sold out dates across the UK, including Birmingham Symphony Hall, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Vortex Jazz Club, and Cheltenham Jazz Festival. In 2024, the Orchestra recorded their debut studio album Fateful Birds & Fledgling Stories with support from the Help Musicians’ Next Level Award.
Following the release of Fateful Birds & Fledgling Stories, we asked composer and bandleader Olivia Murphy to take us through the process of the album, Greek myth, Little Women, playing to the strengths of her soloists, and weaving threads of transformation…
Fateful Birds & Fledgling Stories
Fateful Birds & Fledgling Stories was recorded in October 2024. I’d been performing with the band for the previous couple years and so had built up a “pad” of music that I was confident in and proud of, and so throughout 2024 I was working out ways to make a recording possible. I was very grateful to receive a Next Level Award by Help Musicians, which was the final piece I needed to get the band together and get this music recorded.
I formed the Olivia Murphy Jazz Orchestra (OMJO) for a first performance in February 2022, and it’s been largely the same band since. They’re generally all people I met in either the London or Birmingham Jazz scenes. I’ve always been less fussed about a traditional big band lineup and sound, but more focused on a curated large ensemble of improvisers with their own unique sound. Nowadays the lineup tends to have two vocalists (Becca Wilkins and Rebecka Edlund), five woodwinds, four trombones, three trumpets and rhythm section. I write my compositions with these musicians’ sounds in mind, and it’s always so exciting to hear the music back live.
Initially, the recording was just going to be ‘Sister Suite’ — tracks 6-9 on the album — but I wanted to make the most of our time in the studio and ended up writing a fair bit of new material, and we managed in one day to record an hour-long album!
Tracks 6-9 make up my composition ‘Sister Suite’, where each of the bird names come from a quote within the book Little Women. The suite isn’t about Little Women though, but more so just about finding your path in life. Fairly unintentionally, two other tracks on the album are also linked to birds — ‘calliope and the magpies’ (track 1) and ‘honey thieves’ parts 1 and 2 (tracks 3, 4).
Both of these are stories from Greek myth. The Greek muse Calliope turns nine sisters into magpies as punishment for their arrogance after suggesting their voices are superior to hers. Meanwhile, ‘honey thieves’ tells the story of four men who climb up to the Greek God Zeus’ sacred cave to steal honey — in fury, Zeus turns the men into birds. ‘honey thieves’ is in two parts: the telling of the story through a poem I wrote for vocalist Rebecka Edlund, and then the reimagining of the story through the full orchestra. The imagery of transformation and magic in both of these myths felt so vivid for me, and felt really inspiring for use with an improving orchestra. While the other tracks on the album don’t have such a direct link to birds, there is still this thread of transformation and finding your place within the world.
To be completely honest, the connections weren’t planned; but I naturally found this common thread narratively and musically in the post-production process, which I’m really happy with.
It’s my debut studio album — but also resembles years of work and dedication to composition and band leading. It’s exciting to finally put out this music that I’m so proud of (it’s been ready for ages!), share it with audiences, and then start thinking about what’s next on the musical journey.
01 – calliope and the magpies
In Greek myth, Calliope, the Greek Muse of epic poetry, transforms nine sisters into magpies after they dare to suggest their voices are more beautiful than hers. This track is my musical representation of this story.
Compositionally one of the most open tracks on the album, ‘calliope and the magpies’ utilises cellular group improvisation and is made up of three layers. The composition is centred by an ethereal, rising piano line, while flutes, clarinet, and tuba add mystical note swells and fluttering improvisations. The brass provide air and percussive improvisation (led by Charlotte Keeffe on trumpet), enacting the transformation in the story.
The two vocalists bring an additional beautiful layer to this composition: Becca Wilkins’ soaring high tones, Rebecka Edlund’s lyrics “we are here to stay”, and their interaction with each other were all completely improvised.
02 – indifferent stars
One of my favourite tracks on the album, ‘indifferent stars’ is a delicate composition focused on the slow build, all stemming from the initial bass line. This piece is essentially about the world continuing on, and finding light in the day-to-day routine. Featuring Lewis Sallows on clarinet and alto saxophone, and a beautifully crafted piano solo by Olly Chalk.
03/04 – honey thieves (part one and two)
This composition (in two parts) is another based on Greek myth, this time one which is much less known. I read a short retelling of this myth within Roberto Calasso’s The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony in mid-2024 and was immediately inspired to write a piece about it.
In the myth, four men are turned into birds after entering Zeus’ sacred cave to steal a store of honey. I wrote the poem specifically with Rebecka Edlund in mind to perform in a small band, time-no-changes-style piece, also featuring George Garford (saxophone) alongside the rhythm section, taking heavy inspiration from Ornette Coleman’s Lonely Woman.
Part two was written almost unintentionally; I didn’t plan to compose a second part. However, the vivid imagery of the myth really inspired me to employ full big band forces. Both vocalists come together here to create a primal, chanting effect, alongside driving drums and full band stacked chords.
Daniel Kemshell (guitar) acts as the furious god in the myth with a bluesy, exciting solo, counteracted by Ruta Sipola’s flurrying and graceful flute solo, representing the transformed birds.
05 – where am I?
A moment of light relief, ‘where am I?’ features Becca Wilkins (voice), Olly Chalk (piano & Rhodes), with post-production by Chris Hyson. I wanted the piece, at the centre of the album, to feel like new territory both musically and narratively. It is more heavily produced, focusing on Wilkins’ ethereal vocals.
06–09 – Sister Suite
Sister Suite is made up of four movements: ‘the lark she writes about’, ‘turtle dove’, ‘the gull’, and ‘a grey-coated sand bird’. The titles come from a quote in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, where Beth describes herself and her three sisters as birds—a metaphor for their different characteristics and life paths.
‘the lark she writes about’ features multiple solo moments: Rebecka Edlund on vocals, Lewis Sallows on alto saxophone, and Ruta Sipola on flute. It is a piece about optimism and maintaining hope during difficult times.
‘turtle dove’ was written to feature the excellent Dave Sear on trombone. I wanted this composition to be soft and warm while showcasing Dave’s tone and range on the instrument.
‘the gull’ features Kai Chareunsy on drums and Jonathan Chung on tenor saxophone. This piece is about perseverance and strength.
‘a grey-coated sand bird’ features Tom Syson on trumpet and the whole band on vocals. This final movement is about community and finding strength in togetherness.
you are there
‘you are there’ is the only non-original piece I arranged for the album, composed by Johnny Mandel and Dave Frishberg. While the song is somewhat lesser known, I’ve always found it beautiful, and its lyrics tell a simple but devastating story of change. There is also a beautiful solo by Joel Knee on trombone.
I developed this arrangement over a couple of years, but one thing remained constant: it would feature the amazing Becca Wilkins. She has worked with me on every musical project since 2019, and her voice informs much of my compositional process. It was wonderful to feature her in this tune.
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Stream and download Fateful Birds & Fledgling Stories at the link below:
Olivia Murphy’s Fateful Birds & Fledgling Stories release show takes place on 18th May 2026 at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, London – learn more and buy tickets here:
Learn more about the Olivia Murphy Jazz Orchestra (OMJO):
Learn more about Olivia and her practice:
