TOLEDO, Ohio — Local jazz legend, Clifford Murphy, has died. He was 87 years old.
Mr. Murphy suffered from a number of health conditions in recent years.
Many people in the area will remember Mr. Murphy, his large hands gliding effortlessly over the neck of his upright bass at his jazz club, Murphy's Place, in downtown Toledo nearly every night.
Murphy’s Place was one of a number of iconic jazz clubs in the city along with Rusty’s Jazz Café.
It closed in 2011.
Murphy was right at home playing with up-and-coming jazz musicians, who counted him as a mentor, and more established players who counted him as a contemporary.
Born in Toledo in 1932, Murphy attended Scott High School and earned two purple hearts for his service during the Korean War.