Article Contributed by Missing Piece Group
Published on November 16, 2025
Saxophonist Dave McMurray released his new Blue Note Records album I LOVE LIFE even when I’m hurting. The album is an affirmation of his indomitable spirit and a celebration of the love that he has for his hometown of Detroit, as well as for the many musicians with which he’s collaborated. Co-produced by McMurray and his longtime collaborator Don Was, the album was recorded at Rustbelt Studios in Royal Oak, Michigan, with a deeply talented cast of Detroit musicians including bassists Was and Ibrahim Jones, keyboardists Luis Resto and Maurice O’Neal, guitarist Wayne Gerard, drummer Jeff Canady, percussionist Mahindi Masai, and vocalist Herschel Boone.
McMurray conceived of the album title I LOVE LIFE even when I’m hurting after having a deep discussion about the death of a friend who had been worn down by illness, eventually giving up and dying alone. McMurray’s response to that painful revelation was one of resilience: “Man, I love life even when I’m hurting.” Afterward McMurray wrote down that statement because it meant so much to him. “That ended up being the album title, because I kind of wrote songs around that,” he explained, “songs about positivity.”
McMurray wrote six of the nine compositions, all of which burst with soulful melodicism, emotional immediacy, and irresistible grooves. The album also presents three choice covers including “The Plum Blossom” by Yusef Lateef, “The Wheel” by The Grateful Dead, and “We Got By,” a soulful interpretation of the Al Jarreau classic featuring vocals by Kem.
“Making this album was such a cool project,” McMurray concludes, “because everyone on it is someone I love.”
