Cillian Murphy Reflects on His Early Jazz Band Days and the Significance of Live Music

Before he was known as an acclaimed actor from Ireland, Cillian Murphy nearly veered down the path of music. At just 19-years-old, he and his brother Páidi formed a jazz band named The Sons of Mr Green Genes, paying homage to a Frank Zappa song from his 1969 album 'Hot Rats'.

Early Musical Ambitions

In a video that has recently resurfaced, Cillian Murphy speaks about the essence of his band's sound, emphasizing how jazz inspired them to value freedom of expression through their instruments. He observes that the jazz spirit, allowing for such creative freedom, seemed to be missing in the music of the 80s and early 90s, which often conformed to a pop formula.

Murphy articulates his view on music's evolution, recognizing that the influences of jazz and 70s music were advancing and gaining popularity. He appreciated that people of his generation were increasingly valuing musicianship over just 'catchy tunes', and recognizing the true essence of live music performances.

Choosing Acting Over Music

In an exclusive interaction, Murphy mentioned that his band's music featured 'wacky lyrics and endless guitar solos'. Despite being offered a five-album deal by Acid Jazz, a London-based label, he and his brother opted for artistic freedom over the contract.

Murphy further shared that he didn't continue a career in music because he felt he wasn't 'good enough', a sentiment that perhaps fueled his dedication to acting. His only attempt at screenplay writing was the 2002 short film 'Watchmen', co-written with Paloma Baeza.

After stunning performances and accolades for his role in 'Oppenheimer', Cillian Murphy is now a strong contender for the Best Actor award at upcoming award ceremonies, including the Oscars in 2024.

music, acting, jazz