Murl Allen Sanders is a modern pianist and accordionist who plays pop, rock, zydeco, country, jazz, blues and various ethnic styles on piano and accordion. His versatility has led him to be in demand as a freelance artist in numerous bands and studio work for Muzak, TV and radio commercials as well as sideman work on many CD projects in the Pacific Northwest. He also leads his own band, does solo work, composes, teaches and arranges music, sings, and plays piano, harmonica, Hammond B-3 and electronic keyboards. He has worked with such diverse national artists as Chuck Berry, Etta James, Leslie Gore, Peter Duchin, Theodore Bikel and a host of regional luminaries including Michael Tomlinson, Papaya, Kelly Harland, Nadine Shanti, Michael Powers, Jim Valley, Susan Pascal, Danny Deardorff, Tickle Tune Typhoon, Magical Strings, Renee Redeker and Leon Lishner among others.
His unique, readily indentifiable style on accordion sets him apart from all other modern players. "My earliest accordion influence was Stan Boreson, a local children's television personality, accordionist and comedian in the late 50's and early 60's still working in Seattle who inspired hundreds of kids to play accordion. Aside from my first basics instructor, Leo Furman, I had only one truly influential accordion teacher, Doug Middendorf in Seattle. However, my musical education has included (and still includes) many wonderful and inspirational teachers: John Wittwer, Jerome Gray, George Peckham, Terry Moore, Dave Peck and Barbara Lundquist most noteably."
"My other important early influences were Brazilian accordionist, Sivuca, jazz accordionists Art Van Damme, Leon Sash and Tommy Gumina. Many of my musical influences are not accordionists, most notably pianists Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, organists Billy Preston, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Mcgriff, Richard "Groove" Holmes and Jack McDuff, saxophonists John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and many others, guitarists B.B. King, Freddy King, and Eric Clapton. The list goes on... Other important accordion influences through the years are Astor Piazzola, the Argentine bandoneon player, Ken Olendorf, a local jazz player, zydeco/cajun players like Clifton Chenier and Bruce Daigrepont, celtic and European players like Maria Kaliniemi, Joe Derrane, Ivo Papasov's band, Phil Cunningham, various Brazilian and African accordionists, Los Lobos, Flaco Jiminez and Klezmer music all have played a role in expanding my accordion consciousness and style. I definitely have eclectic tastes and it has allowed me to play in many different situations. Aside from my own tunes I prefer to play in settings that allow me to play blues and zydeco, rock, contemporary country, folk and jazz."
"One of the Northwest's top jazz musicians"
- The Seattle Times, Critics Choice 1991
"Sunday's delight was the unique accordion and keyboards of Murl Allen Sanders..."
- Sandy Burlingame, Earshot Jazz
"His jazz accordion is outstanding and his piano chops very accurate, warm... At the same time he is a fine composer and jazz stylist..."
- Chris Lunn, Victory Review
http://youtube.com/watch?v=X4lby_Y9qck