{{Short description|American musician (born 1942)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}} {{multiple issues| {{unreliable sources|date=May 2025}} {{blp refimprove|date=April 2025}}}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Muruga Booker | image = Muruga_booker.jpg | caption = | image_size = | background =solo_singer | birth_name = Steven Bookvich | alias = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1942|12|27}} |birth_place = Highland Park, Michigan, U.S. | death_date = | instrument = Drums, percussion | genre = Jazz, rock, ambient, freestyle, funk, folk, new-age, techno | occupation = Musician | years_active = 1961–present | label = | website = {{url|murugabooker.bandcamp.com}} }}
'''Steven Bookvich''' (born December 27, 1942), known as '''Muruga Booker''', is an American drummer.
== Biography == Booker was born in Highland Park, Michigan, on December 27, 1942, at Highland Park General Hospital, and is of Serbian descent.<ref name="The Return of Muruga Booker">{{Cite web|url=https://www.michigangambling.org/recordingeq-com/|title=Recordingeq.com|website=Michigangambling.org|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> His father, Melvin Bookvich, was a shoemaker who played accordion.<ref name="The Return of Muruga Booker"/> He is married to Patti, aka Shakti, and they have a daughter named Rani, and a son named Aaron from a previous marriage.<ref name="The Return of Muruga Booker"/> He previously lived in Detroit, New York City and Oakland, California. Since 1985, Booker and his family have lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan,<ref name="The Return of Muruga Booker"/> where he has his own recording studio called ''Sage Ct. Studio''.<ref name="MurugaBookerBandcamp">{{Cite web|url=https://murugabooker.bandcamp.com/|title=Musart Media|website=Musrugabooker.bandcamp.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
== Musical career == ===1950s=== Booker first played the accordion before taking up drums as a preteen. He studied drums under Misha Bichkoff, a Russian music teacher.<ref name="The Return of Muruga Booker"/>
===1960s=== He first professionally played drums in 1961 with "The Low Rocks" in Detroit as Steve Booker.<ref name="bond">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=udYvDpkDYqgC&q=booker&pg=PA93|title=The Birth of the Detroit Sound: 1940-1964|first1=Marilyn|last1=Bond|first2=S. R.|last2=Boland|date=July 26, 2002|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-2033-9 |access-date=July 26, 2025|via=Google Books}}</ref> Under that name he also achieved local recognition playing in 1962 with the "Thunder Rocks"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4uFZXo2OAFcC&q=booker&pg=PA29|title=Gold Thunder: A Legendary Adventures of a Motown Bassman|first=Tony|last=Newton|date=December 31, 2010|publisher=Tony Newton|access-date=July 26, 2025|via=Google Books}}</ref> and both bands released singles on the Sabre Records label, which they also created.<ref name="bond"/>
In 1964 he began playing with folk-rock singers Jim & Jean, and also performed on their recordings ''Changes'' and ''People World'', which also featured Harvey Brooks on guitar and bass.
In 1964 and 1965, Booker played and recorded with the psychedelic folk rock band The Spike Drivers,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://record-fiend.blogspot.com/2010/09/spike-drivers-folkrocking-psychedelia.html |title=''The Spike-Drivers – Folkrocking Psychedelia from the Motor City'' in The Record Fiend, September 2, 2010 |access-date=August 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114014548/http://record-fiend.blogspot.com/2010/09/spike-drivers-folkrocking-psychedelia.html |archive-date=November 14, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and they recorded several songs including ''Can't Stand The Pain''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAU3_rX8DTI|title=The Spike Drivers - Can't Stand The Pain (1965)|date=December 22, 2017|access-date=July 26, 2025|via=YouTube}}</ref> and ''I'm So Glad''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxv2rpkmLCY|title=The Spike Drivers - I'm So Glad (1965)|date=December 22, 2017|access-date=July 26, 2025|via=YouTube}}</ref>
In 1965 he was asked by Richard Williams<ref name="casuals">{{Cite web|url=https://garyedwardsmusic.blogspot.com/2013/01/richard-williams-of-1956-group-called.html|title=Gary Edwards: Richard Williams of 1956 group called "The Casuals"|website=Garyedwardsmusic.blogspot.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> to become a member of ''The Casuals'' to back up Brenda Lee, and he toured with them for several months all over the USA.
In 1968 he joined the Paul Winter and The Winter Consort, and performed on their album ''Something in the Wind''.
In 1969, at the first Woodstock Festival, he played drums for Tim Hardin, along with cellist Richard Bock, from ''The Winter Consort''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://woodstockwhisperer.info/2017/11/03/richard-bock-woodstock-cellist/|title=Richard Bock Woodstock Cellist | The Woodstock Whisperer/Jim Shelley|website=Woodstockwhisperer.info|date=November 3, 2017|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Weather Report Discography">{{Cite web|url=https://www.weatherreportdiscography.org/sweetnighter/|title=Sweetnighter|website=Weathereportdiscography.org|date=March 17, 2013|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> At Woodstock he met Swami Satchidananda who invited him to visit him at the Integral Yoga Institute<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Reynolds |first1=Susan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PMtRPsjGv3EC&q=muruga+booker|title=''Woodstock Revisited: 50 Far Out, Groovy, Peace-Loving, Flashback-Inducing Stories From Those Who Were There'' by Susan Reynolds, Adams Media (2009) |date=May 18, 2009 |page=110|publisher=F+W Media |isbn=978-1-4405-1983-3 |access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> in New York City, where he gave him the name Muruga.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artistwd.com/joyzine/music/woodstock/woodstock.php#.Uhp-SD_U-p0|title=''Woodstock: Interview with Muruga Booker'' by William C. Leikam, originally printed in ''Relix'' (US) and ''Zabriski Point'' (Russia)|website=Artistwd.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> While at the Integral Yoga Institute he became friends with pop artist Peter Max, who also did the artwork for Muruga's 1970 release of ''Rama Rama/Endless Path'',<ref name="rama">{{Cite web|url=https://murugabooker.bandcamp.com/album/rama-rama-endless-path|title=Rama Rama - Endless Path, by Muruga Booker|website=Murugabooker.bandcamp.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> which was also the first recording that Don Was engineered.<ref name="rama"/>
===1970s=== In the early 1970s Booker often played with Ted Nugent, who referred to him in an interview as "dangerous and incredible" on drums.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvm0bc0Swhk|title=Ted Nugent talks about Steve "Muruga" Booker on drums - 1971|date=August 30, 2011|access-date=July 26, 2025|via=YouTube}}</ref> A song that was the result of a jam session with Nugent ended up becoming "Stranglehold", which was based around a drum beat and song of Booker's.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b261MifHhw|title=MURUGA|date=July 26, 2009|access-date=July 26, 2025|via=YouTube}}</ref>
In November 1971, he recorded with Allen Ginsberg and Bob Dylan on sessions at The Record Plant, New York, NY, and the resulting recordings were included on several releases by Ginsberg, including ''First Blues''<ref name="firstblues">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/first-blues-mw0000703875|title=First Blues - Allen Ginsberg | Album |website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> and Ginsberg's box-set release ''Holy Soul Jelly Roll: Poems & Songs''.<ref name="holysoul">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/holy-soul-jelly-roll-poems-songs-mw0000120007|title=Holy Soul Jelly Roll: Poems & Songs - Allen Gi...|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> The engineer on the sessions with Ginsberg and Dylan was Jack Douglas.<ref name="firstblues"/>
In 1971, Muruga met Darius Brubeck, the son of jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, and along with clarinetist Perry Robinson they formed the electronic experimental trio MBR.<ref name="BRUBECKS">[https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/12/the-darius-brubeck-ensemble-intro-by-dave-brubeck.html] {{dead link|date=July 2025}}</ref> In 1972, they recorded the album ''Chaplin's Back'' which featured reinterpreted music compositions by actor Charlie Chaplin.
In 1973, Muruga joined the Darius Brubeck Ensemble, along with Perry Robinson. At that time, Dave Brubeck decided that he wanted his sons Darius and Chris Brubeck and their bands to tour with him, to open for his band the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Muruga toured as part of the Darius Brubeck Ensemble, along with Perry Robinson, and opened up for, and played alongside the quartet, which gave him the opportunity to play with Dave Brubeck, as well as alongside Gerry Mulligan and Paul Desmond and Alan Dawson. Muruga performed and toured with the band at many high-profile concerts, including an appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.<ref name="BRUBECKS"/>
In 1973 and 1974, he recorded with Weather Report<ref name="Global Jazz Trio">{{Cite web|url=https://home.nestor.minsk.by/jazz/news/2006/05/1701.html|title=Global Jazz Trio: New Release|website=Home.nestor.minsk.by|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> on their albums ''Sweetnighter'' and ''Mysterious Traveller''.<ref name="Weather Report Discography"/>
===1980s=== In the late 1970s and early 1980s Booker lived in New York City and played with David Peel on several projects including "King of Punk" and "Death to Disco". While recording "Junk Rock" with David Peel, Muruga recorded for the first time with the Nada Drum that he invented (it was referred to as an "Electric Talking Drum" on this song).
In 1980 he moved back to Detroit, where he connected with funk legend George Clinton and became an official member of the P-Funk All-Stars.<ref name="Weather Report Discography"/> His band at that time, Muruga and the Soda Jerks, with Sly Stone on bass guitar, was recorded and produced by George Clinton and he appeared on many Parliament-Funkadelic and P-Funk All-Stars recordings, and related projects.<ref name="P-Funk Family">{{cite web|url=https://georgeclinton.com/family/muruga-booker/|title=P-Funk : Muruga Booker|website=Murugabooker.bandcamp.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> Booker continues to work with George Clinton and play with the P-Funk All Stars as his schedule allows.
In mid-1985 he moved to Oakland, California, and formed the band Muruga UFM, which included Big Brother and the Holding Company guitarist James Gurley.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://murugabooker.bandcamp.com/album/funky-jacket|title=Funky Jacket, by Muruga and The Unified Field Marshalls|website=Murugabooker.bandcamp.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
In 1989, he recorded with Prem Das on the drum meditation album ''Journey of the Drums'', as well as two other trance drumming recordings, that he released on his Musart record label.
===1990s=== In 1990 he met Merl Saunders and they formed ''Merl Saunders and the Rainforest Band'' and recorded with Jerry Garcia, on the album ''Blues From the Rainforest''. They toured to support the album with Steve Kimock on guitar, and John Popper on harmonica, and recorded ''Fiesta Amazonica'', a 2 CD live recording called ''Save the Planet So We'll Have Someplace to Boogie''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/save-the-planet-so-well-have-someplace-to-boogie-mw0000677859|title=Save the Planet So We'll Have Someplace to Boo... |website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> as well as a live DVD of ''Blues From The Rainforest''.
===2000s=== In 2000, after moving back to Michigan a couple years prior, Booker formed the band Muruga and The Global Village Ceremonial Band,<ref name=Mathis>[http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/09/whois_musician_and_greek_ortho.html#1536200 ''Musician and Greek Orthodox Priest Steve Bookvich of Ann Arbor''] by Jo C. Mathis: interview in Ann Arbor News, September 15, 2008</ref> and released the CD ''One Global Village'', featuring P-Funk vocalist Belita Woods and Perry Robinson. They played at several festivals including the Starwood Festival, Rhythm Fest 1 with Mickey Hart, and Rhythm Fest 2 with Airto Moreira. In 2002 his recording company Musart and the Association for Consciousness Exploration co-hosted the SpiritDrum Festival, a tribute to Babatunde Olatunji, also featuring Sikiru Adepoju, Badal Roy, Jeff Rosenbaum, Richie "Shakin'" Nagan, Halim El-Dabh, Perry Robinson, and Jim Donovan of Rusted Root.
In 2003 he began playing and recording with jazz saxophonist Mark Hershberger, and Richard Smith (bass guitar) as the Global Jazz Trio<ref name="Global Jazz Trio"/><ref>Williams, H. Allen. [http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/world-music-cd-reviews/live-in-detroit-global-jazz-trio-at-bakers-keyboard-lounge-by-the-global-jazz-trio.html Review of the CD ''Live in Detroit, Global Jazz Trio at Bakers Keyboard Lounge'' by H. Allen Williams in Jazz Review, Mar. 11, 2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724150139/http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/world-music-cd-reviews/live-in-detroit-global-jazz-trio-at-bakers-keyboard-lounge-by-the-global-jazz-trio.html |date=July 24, 2014 }}</ref> and as a five-piece group called The Global Jazz Project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/global-jazz-project-mn0002404677|title=Global Jazz Project Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bi...|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> Muruga no longer performs with The Global Jazz Trio or Global Jazz Project, but continues to record with Hershberger as a duo, or on various projects.<ref name="bandcamp">{{Cite web|url=https://murugabooker.bandcamp.com/|title=Musart Media|website=Murugabooker.bandcamp.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
In 2004, Muruga formed the band Free Funk, featuring P-Funk All-Star rapper Louie "Babblin'" Kabbabie and George Clinton's son Tracey Lewis (aka Trey Lewd).<ref name=Mathis/>
In October 2009, Muruga recorded what would become James Gurley's final recording projects, at his studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan. One of the recordings that resulted was called ''Big Huge'', and was released on limited-edition vinyl by Qbico, in addition to another album with his band ''Free Funk'', called ''Selfadelic Funk''.<ref name="selfadelic">{{Cite web|url=https://murugabooker.bandcamp.com/album/selfadelic-funk|title=''Free Funk – Selfadelic Funk'' |website=Murugabooker.bandcamp.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> ''Big Huge'' was remixed and remastered in 2016, with more songs included, and released as a digital download on Bandcamp.<ref name="big huge">{{Cite web|url=https://murugabooker.bandcamp.com/album/big-huge|title=BIG HUGE, by James Gurley & Muruga Booker|website=Murugabooker.bandcamp.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
===2010s=== In 2010, ''Muruga Booker and The Rain Forest Band'' (featuring Badal Roy on percussion, Perry Robinson on clarinet) played at the Detroit Jazz Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/2010/09/detroit_international_jazz_fes_2.html|title=Detroit International Jazz Festival: Navigating a stellar lineup|first=Mike|last=Stratton|date=September 4, 2010|website=Mlive.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
In 2013 he formed Muruga & the Cosmic Hoedown Band (Later renamed to Muruga Cosmic Boogie), with Muruga (drums, guitar, and vocals), Shakti Booker (vocals & drums), Parliament Funkadelic member Tony "Strat" Thomas (guitar), Patrick Sarniak (guitar), Benjamin Piner (bass), Douglas Weaver (bass), and Ralph Koziarski (woodwinds, brass & percussion).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sonicbids.com/2/EPK/?epk_id=244158|title=''Muruga & the Cosmic Hoedown Band'' |website=Sonicbids.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
In 2012 & 2014 Muruga won a Detroit Music Award for "Outstanding World Music Instrumentalist". In 2014 he won the Detroit Music Award for "Outstanding World Music Recording" for "Joty Drums" by Muruga Booker, Pandit Samar Saha, & John Churchville.<ref name="DMA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.detroitmusicawards.com/winners.html |title=Detroit Music Awards website: 2012 Winners |access-date=August 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929182914/http://www.detroitmusicawards.com/winners.html |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Booker has been the recipient of a total of six Detroit Music Awards.<ref name="DMA"/>
In 2017, in honor of John Lee Hooker's 100th birthday anniversary celebration, he formed ''Booker Blues All-Stars'' and recorded a CD with the band called ''Booker Plays Hooker''.<ref name="bookerhooker">{{Cite web|url=https://murugabooker.bandcamp.com/album/booker-plays-hooker|title=''Booker Blues All-Stars – Booker Plays Hooker'' |website=Murugabooker.bandcamp.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> The band consists of Muruga (drums), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Billy Davis<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://musicwikidetroit.org/index.php?title=Billy_Davis|title=Billy Davis |website=Musicwikidetroit.org|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> (guitar & vocals), Tony "Strat" Thomas(guitar), John Sauter (bass guitar) (who also played with ''Hooker & Booker''), Misty Love (former backup singer for Kid Rock), and special guest Peter "Madcat" Ruth.<ref name="bookerhooker"/>
== Recording history highlights == Through the 1960s, as Steve Booker, he recorded with Jim and Jean on ''Changes'' in 1964,<ref name="changes">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/changes-mw0001882533|title=Changes - Jim & Jean | Album |website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> and on ''People World'' in 1966. He appeared on the Paul Winter Consort's ''Something in the Wind'' in 1968,<ref name="winterconsort">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/something-in-the-wind-mw0001881443|title=Something in the Wind - Paul Winter Consort, P...|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> and recorded a meditation record with Swami Satchidananda in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shakticom.org/The_Woodstock_Years_cd_p/a800.htm|title=''Swami Satchidananda – The Woodstock Years''|website=Shakticom|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> During the 1970s he recorded with Darius Brubeck, Gunter Hampel,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/angel-mw0000899237|title=Angel - Gunter Hampel & His Galaxie Dream Band... |website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> Al Kooper, Ursa Major, and with Weather Report.<ref name="Weather Report Discography"/> Muruga's band, Muruga and the Soda Jerks, were produced by George Clinton, and he recorded with George Clinton, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, and the P-Funk All Stars on many projects, and he is a lifetime member of the ''P-Funk Family''.<ref name="P-Funk Family"/>
In mid-1985 his band Muruga UFM recorded ''Terroristic Activities'' 1990 and ''Rock the Planet'' 1993. In 1990 he, his wife Shakti, and Prem Das recorded the long-selling ''Journey of the Drums'', a pioneering drum album. That same year, Booker joined Merl Saunders and Jerry Garcia to record the Grammy-nominated album (and subsequent DVD) ''Blues From the Rainforest'',<ref name="Global Jazz Trio"/> and their live CDs ''Save the Planet So We'll Have Someplace to Boogie'' (1992) and ''Fiesta Amazonica'' (1998). He also joined Babatunde Olatunji and Sikiru Adepoju to record the CD ''Cosmic Rhythm Vibrations'' 1993, which was later remixed in surround sound and distributed on Chesky Records as ''Circle of Drums'' in 2005.<ref name="Global Jazz Trio"/> With his Detroit-based band Free Funk, he recorded the self-titled colored vinyl LP titled ''Free Funk'' in 2005 which was released by Qbico Records. This band released the album ''OrthoFunkOlogy'' in 2008. Since then he has released several albums on his label Musart, including collaborations with many jazz, funk and World Music artists.
== Discography == {{Main|Muruga Booker discography}} * 1961 – Low Rocks – ''Blueberry Jam / Midnight Tears'' (single) * 1964 – Jim and Jean – ''Changes''<ref name="changes"/> * 1965 – The Spike Drivers – ''I'm So Glad'' and ''Can't Stand The Pain'' (singles)<ref name="folkrocking">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/search/albums/folkrocking+psychedelic+innovation+from+the+motor+city+in+the+mid+60s|title=Album Search for "folkrocking psychedelic innovation from the motor city in the mid 60s"|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * 1968 – Jim and Jean – ''People World'' * 1968 – Paul Winter Consort – ''Something in the Wind''<ref name="winterconsort"/> * 1971 – Allen Ginsberg and Bob Dylan sessions<ref name="firstblues"/><ref name="holysoul"/> * 1972 – Ursa Major – ''Ursa Major'' (Dick Wagner) * 1972 – Darius Brubeck – ''Chaplin's Back'' * 1973 – Weather Report – Sweetnighter * 1973 – Al Kooper – ''Naked Songs'' * 1974 – Weather Report – Mysterious Traveller * 1978 – David Peel & Death – ''King of Punk''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/king-of-punk-mw0000842995|title=King of Punk - David Peel | Album |website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * 1978 – Mitch Ryder – ''How I Spent My Vacation''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/how-i-spent-my-vacation-mw0000197739|title=How I Spent My Vacation - Mitch Ryder | Album |website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * 1981 – Funkadelic – ''The Electric Spanking of War Babies'' * 1982 – George Clinton – ''Computer Games'' * 1982 – Godmoma – ''Here'' (with Bootsy Collins) * 1983 – P-Funk All Stars – ''Urban Dance Floor Guerillas''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/urban-dancefloor-guerillas-mw0000206773|title=Urban Dancefloor Guerillas - P-Funk All Stars ...|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * 1984 – Muruga & The Soda Jerks – ''Boogy With You'' (single) * 1985 – George Clinton – ''Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends'' * 1989 – Prem Das, Muruga, and Shakti – ''Journey of the Drums'' * 1990 – Merl Saunders and The Rainforest Band – ''Blues From the Rainforest''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/blues-from-the-rainforest-a-musical-suite-mw0000311412|title=Blues from the Rainforest: A Musical Suite - M... |website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> (with Jerry Garcia) * 1990 – Muruga – ''Muruga'' * 1992 – Muruga U.F.M. (Unified Field Marshals) – ''Rock The Planet'' * 1993 – Muruga & The Soda Jerks – ''George Clinton's Family Series: Testing Positive 4 The Funk'' * 1993 – George Clinton – ''Hey Man... Smell My Finger'' * 1994 – Sikiru Adepoju, Muruga, Babatunde Olatunji – ''Cosmic Rhythm Vibrations''<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Rhythm-Vibrations-Olatunji/dp/B00004SCJL Sikiru Adepoju, Muruga, Babatunde Olatunji – ''Cosmic Rhythm Vibrations''] at Amazon.com</ref> * 1994 – Allen Ginsberg – ''Holy Soul Jelly Roll: Poems & Songs'' (with Bob Dylan)<ref name="holysoul"/> * 1995 – P-Funk All Stars – ''Dope Dogs'' * 1995 – Parliament, Funkadelic, P-Funk All Stars Presents With Primal Scream – ''Police Doggy'' * 1995 – P-Funk All Stars – ''Hydraulic Funk'' * 1995 – David Peel & the Lower East Side – ''Up Against the Wall''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/up-against-the-wall-mr0000364016|title=Up Against the Wall - Lower East Side, David P...|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * 1998 – Merl Saunders & the Rainforest Band – ''Fiesta Amazonica''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/fiesta-amazonica-mr0000009170|title=Fiesta Amazonica - Merl Saunders, Merl Saunder...|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * 1998 – Merl Saunders With His Funky Friends – 'Live!' * 2003 – Buzzy Linhart – ''Presents the Big Few''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/buzzy-linhart-presents-the-big-few-mw0000997347|title=Buzzy Linhart Presents the Big Few - Buzzy Lin... |website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * 2005 – Babatunde Olatunji – ''Circle of Drums'' * 2005 – Global Jazz Trio – ''Live in Detroit: Global Jazz Trio at Baker's Keyboard Lounge''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-in-detroit-global-jazz-trio-at-bakers-keyboard-lounge-mw0001453562|title=Live in Detroit: Global Jazz Trio at Baker's K...|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * 2009 – Global Jazz Project – ''Out Of This World: Live At The 30th Annual Detroit International Jazz''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/out-of-this-world-live-at-the-30th-annual-detroit-international-jazz-mw0002099261|title=Out Of This World: Live At The 30th Annual Det...|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * 2009 – Peter Walker – ''Long Lost Tapes 1970'' * 2010 – James Gurley & Muruga Booker – ''Big Huge'' *2011 – David Leikam & Muruga Booker – ''After the Ice Cream'' (with John Churchville) * 2012 – Muruga Booker, Pandit Samir Saha,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samarsaha.com/|title=Matthewmcguire.net|website=Samarsaha.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> John Churchville<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://johnchurchville.com/home|title=Official Home Page of John Churchville|website=Johnchurchville.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> – ''Joty Drums''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://murugabooker.bandcamp.com/album/joty-drums|title=Joty Drums, by Pandit Samar Saha, Muruga Booker, John Churchville|website=Murugabooker.bandcamp.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * 2013 – Muruga & The Cosmic Hoedown Band – ''Changing The Sound of Your Room'' * 2013 – ''Woodstock 40 Years On: Back to Yasgur's Farm''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/woodstock-40-years-on-back-to-yasgurs-farm-mw0000822834|title=Woodstock 40 Years On: Back to Yasgur's Farm -... |website=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> (with Tim Hardin) *2014 – David Leikam & Muruga Booker – ''Lunar Frequencies / Solar Rhythms'' * 2016 – Muruga & The Worms – ''Muruga & The Worms'' (with James Gurley) * 2016 – Wormhole Cafe (feat. P-Funk All-Stars & more) – ''At The Wormhole Cafe'' * 2016 – Muruga Cosmic Boogie – ''Harmonious World'' * 2017 – Muruga Booker – ''Bio-Harmonic Rhythms'' * 2017 – Booker Blues All Stars – ''Booker Plays Hooker'' * 2017 – Muruga & The Global Village Ceremonial Band – ''Muruga & The Global Village Ceremonial Band''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://murugabooker.bandcamp.com/album/muruga-the-global-village-ceremonial-band|title=Muruga & The Global Village Ceremonial Band, by Muruga & The Global Village Ceremonial Band|website=Murugabooker.bandcamp.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> (remastered) * 2018 – Muruga Booker – ''Within The Within'' * 2020 – Muruga Booker – ''Boom Zoom'' * 2021 – Booker & Bridges DaLight – ''World Jamdemic'' * 2021 – Muruga Cosmic Boogie – ''All Night Long''
==Filmography== * 1990 – Merl Saunders – ''Blues From The Rainforest: A Musical Suite''<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1CNBKW5AJOC0D/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=6305870861 Merl Saunders – ''Blues From The Rainforest''] at Amazon.com</ref> Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs * 2000 – Merl Saunders – ''Blues From The Rainforest: A Musical Suite'' * 2005 – ''One: The Movie'', Circle of Bliss Productions * 2012 – ''Groovemonster'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_hIgrm0puw|title=Tony Newton Groovemonster Movie Trailer|date=December 11, 2011|access-date=July 26, 2025|via=YouTube}}</ref> Quantum Media Arts * 2014 – ''Border City Music Project'' documentary<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf2KgAXLpqk|title=Border City Music Project | Documentary|date=June 22, 2016|access-date=July 26, 2025|via=YouTube}}</ref> * 2022 – ''Sitting Bull Standing Tall'', Media Stream LLC
== Other achievements == * In 1984 Booker invented and patented the '''nada drum''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US4616551/en|title=Nada drum and assembly|website=Patents.google.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> a variation on the talking drum, which was sold through Latin Percussion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lapercussionrentals.com/instruments/nada-drum-lp/211?nav=0|title=''Nada Drum by Latin Percussion'' |website=Lapercussionrentals.com|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * He is a recipient of the 1991 Hiroshima Voices for Peace award.<ref name=Mathis /> * He built and operates his own recording studio, Sage Ct. Studios, and founded his own record label, Musart, which he currently distributes through Bandcamp.<ref name="MurugaBookerBandcamp"/> * He has won several Detroit Music Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2014/04/26/eminem-four-tops-among-detroit-music-award-winners/|title=Eminem, Four Tops among Detroit Music Award winners|website=Theoaklandpress.com|date=April 26, 2014|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref> * He won a "Best of Washtenaw County" Reader's Choice Award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecurrent.com/best-of/best-of-washtenaw-2016-music/|title=Best of Washtenaw 2016 – Music - Current Magazine|website=Ecurrent.com|date=May 31, 2016|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://worldmusiccentral.org/artists/artist_page.php?id=2107 World Music Central: Muruga Booker] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929160056/http://www.emusicmasters.com/main.html Global Jazz Trio.com] * [https://murugabooker.bandcamp.com Muruga Booker Bandcamp Page] * [http://www.tunecore.com/music/murugaband The Muruga Band on Tunecore] * {{Discogs artist|Muruga Booker}} * {{IMDb name|10228142}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Booker, Muruga}} Category:1942 births Category:Living people Category:Drummers from Detroit Category:American funk drummers Category:American male drummers Category:Avant-garde jazz drummers Category:American avant-garde musicians Category:American people of Serbian descent Category:P-Funk members Category:20th-century American drummers Category:American male jazz musicians Category:Rainforest Band members Category:Paul Winter Consort members