Street Style: Meet Dan Murray
Dan Murray once thought his career would be made under the hood of a car, but today he can be found under the beam of stage lights, microphone in hand, crooning Jazz classics to adoring crowds across the DMV. In less than three years, the Northern Virginia native has gone from singing in the shower to performing at some of the region’s biggest venues and becoming one of its most recognizable musical talents.
Looking back, the signs were always there. Dan grew up in a home where music wasn’t background noise; it was a part of the family identity. His father spent 26 years as a percussionist in The President’s Own United States Marine Band, his grandfather was an opera singer, and his grandmother was a master pianist. Jazz filled the house throughout his childhood, but despite being surrounded by music and loving to sing, Dan never imagined he would be the one taking center stage.
That changed in 2021 when he reluctantly took the microphone during karaoke at Rocket Grill and sang “Fly Me to the Moon.”
“The whole bar went nuts,” he laughs. The nerves were real, but so was the feeling that he had found something special.
He started small, singing at family weddings and holiday gatherings, before his fiancée’s brother suggested he try busking in Old Town. Dan’s response was simple: “I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain, so why not?” In October 2023, he set up in Founders Park for the first time.
“I had my eyes closed almost the entire time,” he says, laughing. “I was holding onto that microphone for dear life.”
By day, Dan worked as a mechanic, but on weekends he trained with a vocal coach and posted videos of his performances online. Soon, those videos were racking up millions of views, and inquiries for weddings, private events, and restaurant gigs began rolling in—and didn’t stop. People simply could not get enough of the guy “bringing jazz to Gen Z.”
By July 2024, demand had grown enough that he made a leap that would have sounded impossible just a year earlier: he quit his job as a mechanic and became a full-time singer. He hasn’t looked back since.
Dan Murray
Suit: Custom Design by Joel Bernola
Shoot Location: Old Town, Alexandria
Photography: Renée C. Gage
Dan’s voice is iconic, but it isn’t the only thing that turns heads. His signature style—tailored suits inspired by the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s—has become as central to his identity as the music itself.
A lifelong history buff, Dan spent countless afternoons watching World War II documentaries and immersing himself in the culture, style, and music of mid-century America. “When I was a mechanic, I didn’t even own a suit,” he says. “But I’ve always been obsessed with that era.”
Several of his favorite pieces were designed alongside menswear expert Joel Bernola. His most recent being the suit he wore for this shoot—a recreation of a design worn by his Great-Grandfather in the early 1940s. “I love being able to make my suits personal, for example; I stitched my Great-Grandfather's name into the underside of the collar of this suit,” he says.
Though his calendar is now packed with paid performances, he admits he misses those early afternoons in Old Town. “Busking is still my favorite gig,” he says. “Nobody’s paying you to be there. Nobody’s expecting you to be there. You just get to be a bright spot in someone’s day.”
Just three years into his singing journey, Dan has already performed at the Kennedy Center, appeared on television, released an album and multiple EP’s. This September 3rd, he’ll perform for the DC Jazz Festival at The Kreeger Museum and continue expanding into larger ticketed shows across the region.
Yet for all the milestones, what matters most to him is the impact his music has on other people.
“I can’t tell you how many times I see people listening with tears streaming down their faces,” he says. “Being able to sing is a superpower. It moves people, and that’s a testament to the universal language of music. I’m so blessed to have this gift, and I love that I get to share it with others.”
Dan Murray’s story is like a great song: it pulls you in, makes you feel something real, and lingers long after it ends. The best part? It’s only just beginning. Bravo.
ABOUT DAN
Your neighborhood: Island Creek, Alexandria
Your hometown: Springfield, VA
What would surprise people about you? I play Ice Hockey
Favorite book or movie: Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of The Sith
Guilty pleasure: Ice Cream, although I would argue it is not so guilty!
Latest binge-watch: Maul Shadow Lord (Star Wars Show)
Bucket list travel destination: Japan
What would be your walkout song? Deep Kick - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite motto/quote: Bet on yourself, cause no one else will
STYLE
Define your style in three words or less: Timeless, Elegant, Mindful
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: My Teal Double Breasted suit
Product you can’t live without: Tallow Balm
Dress shoes or sneakers? Dress shoes
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: Ice Cream and a Joint
Favorite way to stay active: Working out/Ice Hockey
Wellness goal: Heal my chronic eczema fully
Want to try: Surfing
Proudest wellness achievement: I am weeks away from curing my eczema. Also, helping many friends and strangers with their health/wellness journey's, whether it is fitness, eczema, or depression.
HOME
Favorite room in your home: Music Room
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix!
Last item you bought for your home: Couch
Favorite way to entertain: Sing!
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Clutter free
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? I love the community they strive to create and the intention/detail they give to each person they interview!
Favorite spot(s) in Alexandria: The Pier Bar, Dos Hermanos, The Cooper Mill
Your go-to shop(s): Old House Provisions (Men’s Wear)
Best food spot(s): Dos Hermanos Fine Tex mex (Del Ray)
Favorite local organization(s): ALX Stylebook!
Annual Alexandria event you most look forward to: The Scottish Parade
