13 MASKS is an interweaving of jazz, avant-garde classical and "Progressive Ragtime" solo piano. Blending
each style through the "chaos of the subconscious," Mueller has created compelling musical stories. This collection
is a whimsical (and sometimes discordant) departure from his earlier romantic and healing work, Morning Whispers.
Mueller attaches one of 13 Medieval masks to each song, images that are fanciful, haunting, nightmarish, surreal. (See below.) He has created music to match, emphasizing
sly humor and surprise, intelligence and innovation, muscularity and angular lines. The results are breakthrough compositions combined with clean,
intimate playing.
“
13 Masks is Tobin Mueller’s follow-up to his 2005 release, Morning Whispers. Full of musical surprises, Mueller interweaves jazz and 20th century classical and blends them through the “chaos of his subconsciousness.” Mueller’s stories, told through the medium of solo piano, are often whimsical and funny, but this is no lightweight piece of entertainment. The music is complex and often challenging, but is not so esoteric to be intimidating. I found it fascinating the first time through, and enjoy it more each time I hear it. This is music for active listening, and most people will not find it relaxing, (it wasn’t intended to be). The cover artwork, also done by Mueller, depicts the thirteen masks of the title. Of those masks, Mueller explains: “More than masks that hide the truth, these are
meant to be interior faces of the subconscious that whisper, leer and assert themselves in ways known and
unknown.” I love these drawings and their variety of expressions. Tobin Mueller has created a conceptual
work of art with “13 Masks.” A powerful and amazing album. Not everyone will appreciate it, but if you enjoy
a truly unique album with music to really sink your teeth into, give this a try. Recommended"
- Kathy Parsons, Mainly Piano
Several tracks standout as exceptionally entertaining. "A Monk Caught In The Thelonious Sphere"
starts as a tribute to the great jazz-blues pianist (Thelonious Monk's middle name was Sphere), yet travels
through moments that could be the soundtrack of a surreal Tom & Gerry cartoon episode. Similarly, "Two Peas
In A Chili Pod" begins as a smooth Latin piece, but by the end erupts with unrelenting energy,
taking on the entire keyboard. "Stillness of Wings" is a beautiful New Age piece, an oasis of peace
amidst this musical tempest. (See below
for track notes by the composer.) Playfulness is the main attribute of many of these pieces.
Progressive Ragtime; Crime Jazz; post-Swing meets 20th Century pandemonium and harmonic bewilderment.
Influences range from Dave Brubeck to Frank Zappa, Bill Evans to Cecil Taylor.
The longest track, "Chaos of the Subconscious," is the most avant-garde piece in the
collection. It is a three movement sonata that, perhaps more than any other track, embodies the sense of
nightmare and unfettered subconscious creation. But the soul of a jazz player bubbles up throughout,
interrupting, reasserting, especially in the latter variations. Stunning. But it may also be the most
off-putting track in the collection, depending on your persepctive.
The New Age beauty of Mueller's earlier works shines through in two exquisite tunes: "Stillness Of
Wings" and "Last Mask Falls Away." We are reminded how innocent music can feel.
Mueller's musical theatre period is also represented. "Memories Of Elegance" and the tragic "Holding
Breath With Ophelia" both evoke characters and story lines. "Shadows of Success" combines the quirkiness
of Medeski with the urbanity of Gershwin. The breadth of styles Mueller is able to seamlessly shape
into coherent musical statements is a testament to his skill and cross-genre experience.
The album starts off with a Progressive Ragtime Fugue. It is paired with the mask I call
"Unicorn Girl." Wings frame her face, ribbons swirl into a unicorn-like point atop curls
and twigs, and her combination of bird-and-garden youthfulness all play into the whimsical
variations the song strings together. She seems a steady innocent amidst the chaos of the
world. This is the sense I was trying to portray with the music. Like a unicorn creating
Spring amidst a tempest of swirling winter wind. I drop beats throughout, on purpose, which
is one of the reasons I chose the title.
Not only do I love Whodunits and Private Eye thrillers, I was actually a private detective
for 3-4 years in the early 1980s, before I got an agent and my music/writing career took off.
This piece is also a homage to the Film Noire soundtracks composed by the likes of Stan Getz,
Count Basie, and others. (See the bottom of the page for the YouTube video.) Melodrama, humor and romance combine in this piece, which could be a
sountrack to a silent film. The mask, "Old Blue Eyes," stares calmly, waiting just around the
corner, or just under the darkened bridge... The song ends in lonely triumph, of course.
Click here to watch the film noire Music Video on YouTube
I was listening to Medeski Martin & Wood before I began improvising what would eventually become this
song. For some reason, the haulting bass line that underscores grand Gershwin-esque chords
made me think of this title. It was either a desire for success that lacked the courage to
achieve it; or living in the shadow of former success. "Frightened by Flame," the mask, with
its fiery gold colors and cello ears, has all the makings of ambition and bravado, except for
the expression, which radiates worry and trepidation. Success is almost achieved (or recaptured)
at the 2:50 mark, but then the music slides back into the shadows cast by this fanciful and endearing character.
This track is based a song from my 2004 musical, Runners In A
Dream. In the show, Never So Frightened is sung by a young girl caught in the horrors of
the Holocaust. The mask represents the awful apperation of the upstairs woman who betrays her.
I've named it "Judgement." Trying to divorce myself from my earlier composition, I invented a
new story for 13 Masks. Since some of the passages had the elegance
of a late Duke Ellington piece, I re-imagined the song sung by
an older women who had escaped the Holocaust, was still haunted by its terrors, as well as the
loss of the elegant life she once lived. Perhaps the mask illustrates her? This sense of what
was lost kicks in, especially, around the 3:12 mark.
The opening and ending to this song was originally written as incidental music for a
1996 musical I never finish, "Merlyn." Some ideas just happen at the wrong time. Their
moment of possibility flies away like a butterfly. To illustrate this, the internal cadenza
is played from the point of view of one with wings. The mask, "Flight and Laughter," as
opposed to being a vacuously giggling imp (as you may think at first glance), understands
the stillness of wings, the peace one finds in the air high above the crowd, the joy of
escape found in aimless reverie. Or, Merlyn sitting alone, resting tired bones, lost on
memory, forgetting he is no longer youthful.
Check out the hummingbirds in the Music Video on YouTube.
I had originally wanted to do a 20th Century solo piano version of an organ piece I'd written
12 years earlier, Vortigern's
Fortress, a scene from the never-completed Merlyn. But as I
rehearsed the original score, I kept hearing interruptions and side-whisperings. Since this
was a project in which I was supposed to listen to my subconscious, I gave into it. This is
the result. You can follow the link to the organ piece which, after consious consideration,
I still like better. Sigh. The mask, "Mortality Questioned," seems to have known it all along.
Sometimes one can be too clever. The piece is too long, but there are some great moments,
nonetheless. It makes the opening bars of the next track all that much more soothing, at least!
The fellow who played guitar on Rain Bather was in a
Latin band. He tried to teach me the fundamentals of Latin keyboard rhythms. I could never appreciate the repetition and, sadly, never figured out how to translate the overall technique to a solo piano, without
the clava, conga and other percussion helping to establish the rhythms. But I wanted to try
my hand at my own version of Latin piano. My favorite part is toward the end, when I throw
caution to the wind and try to play it like Thelonious Monk might have, channelling my subconscious
mischievousness. The mirrored masks, "Hidden Winks," represents my left brain / right brain "conflicts," two pease in a pod...
In preperation for this project, I listened to all the Thelonious Monk I could find. There
are some surviving clips of him on YouTube from which I tried try to figure out how he is doing
what he does. Of course, one seem like a green jackass if you tell people that sort of thing.
Although, as YouTube goes, it's a better usage than many others I've employed. The mask I chose
for this track, "Lampwick Grows Old," takes its inspiration from the Pinocchio story, and provides
the right amount of humor and humility. It should also be noted, regarding the title, that "Sphere"
is Monk's middle name. How cool is that! This may be the most accessible track on the CD.
This song was intended to be an homage to Oscar Peterson, who died in 2007 when I was recording
this album. Oscar Perterson is Jazz giant. He was called the "Maharaja of the keyboard" by Duke
Ellington, but simply "O.P." by his friends. I never mastered stride piano, at which O.P. was
the best, but try to make up for it with other techniques. O.P. is one of those demigods who
always has more to teach. The "Golden Goggles" expression, which exudes very high expectations,
represents my hope Oscar would've enjoyed this song's use of several Jazz influences. Sometimes
our subconscious desire to impress can lead us to push ourselves in constructive ways.
This track is based on the original prelude and opening scene from what would become
Runners In A Dream, my musical (written with Randyl Appel)
set in the Holocaust. The opening was completely rewritten before anyone saw the show, but several
of these themes found their way into other songs. This is the longest track in the CD, it
describes an epic tragedy. Ophelia is torn apart, goes mad, from a series of disastorous
fallouts from misread moments, crushing passions, ill-advised actions, being overrun by the
chaos of her subconsious. The mask, "Surviving Under Water," is a likely observer of Ophelia's
final moments. He may seem like a cynically creature, making fun of her weaknesses, but that
may only be, as they say, a mask. We sometimes mock what we fear the most.
This is the instrumental version of a song I included in my 2008 release, A
Bit of Light, on which I sing and play keys, McBoy plays guitar, and Bill Barner plays clarinet. It
was recorded prior to this solo piano version, even though 13 Masks came out a year earlier. I wrote this
in my living room in Manhattan, but chose a new setting for this solo piano version:
Amalthea ("tender goddess") is the foster-mother of Zeus, a goat-nymph who suckled the infant-god
in a cave. Amalthea's skin, after she was killed and skinned by the grown Zeus, became the magically
protective Aegis, worn like a sash. (A vivid metaphor for the historical transfer of religious power
from the goddess to the god.) My song, however, takes place before all that, when Amalthea could still
leap like a happy mother goat along the cliffs of Mount Olympus.
I first recorded this song on my album Morning Whipsers. But
as I kept playing it, I began altering certain passages and wanted to try recording it again.
Also, a friend of my, Troy Paiva, helped arrange a
Progressive Rock version, which gave me even
more ideas. I added a wildly dissonant intro. I thought I has suubstantially improved it. However,
after the passage of a few more yeras, I think my version on Morning Whipsers
remains a better version. I would, at least, remove the intro if I ever reissue 13 Masks. This version also seems
a tad too long, and sometimes makes me want to scream. The mask "Incoming Waves" captures my
current feelings toward the piece. Or, it could just be a merman watching my sailboat as it cascades
through the waves. Regarding the mask, I also hope to have those kind of impressive eyebrows, some day.
I knew the title to this final piece before I began writing it. It's an homage to all those who
helped define New Age piano back in the late 1970s, early 1980s. I can still remember hearing Liz
Story for the first time, stunned that someone else was playing the kind of music I was developing.
This song has a sense of reach, touch, discovery, and movement out of isolation that I felt when
hearing others play would, in a few years, be called New Age music. The music was to be a sauve,
a way forward, a homage to hymns and quietude, an expression of internal longing. The lion mask,
"Finding Courage," may seem, at first blush, to not be so apropos. But, keep looking...
Instead of Heaven - Mueller follows his upbeat jazz ensemble album What Survives with a series of contemplative piano meditations. All original compositions using Greek myth as inspiration, this 10-track album forms a lyrical song cycle, a spiritual journey of both emotional and intellectual content. Melds modal post-bop, Romanticism, Jazz Impressionism and New Age styles. Influences include: Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Michel Camilo, as well as Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff. "Each composition is breathtaking, adding to the musical language of both modal post-bop jazz and neo-classical piano." George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Flow: The Music of J.S. Bach and Tobin Mueller is a double album featuring
Mueller's reinterpretations of Bach's greatest hits (Disc 1) plus two original jazz piano suites by Mueller
(Disc 2). Inventive, playful, joyous, beautiful, full of emotion and intelligence. Mueller embraces the sense
of timelessness one achieves when in the state of flow, bridging the centuries, letting Bach's 300 year
old manuscripts inspire through new expression. Jazz influences include Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, Gerald Clayton. "This may be the pianist-composer’s most ambitious and sophisticated recording. Highly recommended." Fanfare Magazine's 2015 Editor's Choice.
Of Two Minds: The Music of Frédéric Chopin and Tobin Mueller is the final addition to
Mueller's "Masterworks Trilogy" in which he explores the intersections of classical and jazz piano. Mueller reinterprets
Chopin's most iconic piano solos (Disc 1) and uses the preludes
to inspire three original jazz piano sonatas (Disc 2). Seductive, rebellious, heroic and beautiful. Jazz influences include Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Keith Jarrett. "One would be hard-pressed to find an artist with a more creative musical mind than Tobin Mueller’s." Fanfare Magazine's 2016 Editor's Choice.
Impressions of Water & Light is an exploration of the cross-inspirations between Impressionist and jazz piano,
including adaptations of music by Debussy, Ravel, Fauré, Satie, Ibert and Carpenter. Tobin uses the written notes as if they are light and his imagination as if
it is water, creating all new interpretations. This post-Impressionist
music illustrates the intimacy between jazz and Impressionist music. You will
never hear these works the same again. The gorgeous CD booklet is a work of art in itself, pairing an Impressionist
painting with each piece. One of the three album in Mueller's "Masterworks Trilogy".
Midwinter Born is a collection of jazz piano interpretations of traditional
Christmas carols. Mueller captures the quiet simplicity, expectant playfulness and over-riding joy of the season. A
delightful and sometimes surprising album destined to become one of your annual holiday favorites. The 18 track album includes: First
Noel, Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Holy Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Carol of the Bells, Lo How A Rose E'er Bloom, Good King Wenceslas, Still, Still, Still and many more.
Morning Whispers is Tobin's first solo piano collection, a song cycle of
tragic beauty. Music of healing and introspection. The use of key changes,
unusual time signatures, and other variational devices makes this work involving, not merely New Age background music. Its gentle intensity, however, does not detract from its healing essence, its sense of inner joy. Influences include
Aaron Copland, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Bill Evans, David Lanz, Liz Story. Several of these piano pieces have since been used in film and documentaries.
13 Masks is Tobin's second solo piano collection. An exploration of the links between avant-garde 20th Century music and jazz. Tobin used illustrations of 13 medieval masks to inspire songs combining ragtime, jazz and 20th Century avant-garde
classical. Influences
include Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, Art Tatum, Scott Joplin, John Medeski, as well as classical composers Shostakovich, Ligeti, Bartok. These pieces will startle and delight.
"A truly unique album with music to really sink your teeth into."
Afterwords - Combining spoken word and
solo piano, Tobin "illustrates" his favorite works of literature with a wide variety of new
musical compositions. He pays homage to classic authors like Hemmingway, Steinbeck, Vonnegut,
Faulkner, as well as new authors Dave Eggers, Chuck Palahniuk, Aimee Bender and China Miéville. Musical influences include Oscar Peterson, Hiromi, Brad Maldheu, Fred Hersch, John Taylor, even Keith Emerson. "An astonishing work of art." Jazziz's 2017 Critics' Choice.
Afterwords: Solo Piano Bonus Tracks - For those of you who prefer music without any interruptions, seven of the best tracks from Afterwords have been remastered with the talking edited out. Originally conceived for distribution to jazz radio stations, this Bonus Album is now avaiilable to the egeneral public. Influences include Oscar Peterson, Hiromi, Brad Maldheu, Fred Hersch, John Taylor; post-bop, stride, new age, classic jazz.
Standard Deviations - Jazz/Blues - Although this is mainly an ensemble album, half the tracks on Disc 2 of this two volume recording are solo piano arrangements. Think of this is a piano album with fabulous guest artists sitting in on 2/3s of the tunes! See Standard Deviations project page for complete Liner Notes and several Bonus Tracks. "The greatest collection of reimagined standards in the last decade."
Best of Tobin Mueller, Volumes 1-2 - First two volumes of his 5-volume compilation, presenting Mueller's best Contemporary Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Blues, more. A stunning collection featuring such greats as Ron Carter, Donny McCaslin, Paul Nelson, Dane Richeson, Scott Rockenfield and Woody Mankowski. Mueller is front and center on piano, B3 organ, vintage keys. "Nothing short of excellent. Mueller has performed across the entire spectrum of jazz, creating a fabulous assortment of classics."
Prestidigitation - The best of Contemporary Jazz Fusion. Mueller's all-star band takes on Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Frank Zappa, John Coltrane, Weather Report, Stevie Wonder, Bill Evans, Tower of Power and more. Featured soloists: Paul Nelson (Grammy-winning guitarist), David Dejesus (Birdland Jazz Band director), Ruben de Ruiter (John Patitucci Band), Woody Mankowski (What Survives)... "A jazz-fusion tour de force. Each spin and turn opens the door to a new interpretive wrinkle that is sure to delight."
What Survives - Radio Edits - Jazz - Remastered Radio Edits of the best tracks from What Survives - Volumes 1 & 2. Fresh and spontaneous yet expertly crafted arrangements. Contemporary Jazz at its finest. Ensemble includes: Woody Mankowski, Ron Carter, Bill Barner, Doug Schneider, Tom Washatka, Ken Schaphorst, Bob Levy, Dane Richeson, Martyn Kember-Smith and Tobin’s nephew Chris Mueller. CD contains 15 tracks; digital version includes 3 Bonus Tracks.
Standard Deviations - Jazz/Blues - Keyboardist Tobin Mueller is joined by Grammy-winner Paul Nelson (guitars), Woody Mankowski (saxophones), Lamar Moore & Mike Nappi (percussionists) to breathe new life into 33 standards in this fresh Two Volume CD. An homage to Monk, Ellington, Gershwin, Brubeck, Bernstein, Berlin, Kern, Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael, Lennon-McCartney, Richard Rodgers, Harold Arlen, Billy Strayhorn and more. "The greatest collection of reimagined standards in the last decade."
Come In Funky Old School Funk and and small combo Jazz featuring
legendary bassist Ron Carter. "You guys can play! These are, almost without exception, very complicated numbers in terms of rhythm and the general sync of
solos with ensemble playing, a stellar set of recordings that, I believe, adds seriously to the body of jazz that this represents. A remarkable work in every single way I can think of. This is such a bright and happy album that is played with a spirit of invention and joy from the first notes to the last." - Paul Page
The Muller's Wheel is a collaborative project combining the
talents of pianist Tobin Mueller and saxophonist Woody Mankowski, featuring their jazz quartet and their larger 8-pieace ensemble, playing swing to bop to fusion to funk. The
styles of Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Herbie Hancock, The Brecker Brothers, Weather Report and more
influence this homage to the jazz greats. This is joyous music. "It reminds us of the happiness we relive when returning to our musical roots," say Mueller and Mankowski.
Rain Bather is an 80 minute long play CD featuring superlative solo performances by all-star band members. Most of the tunes are in the jazz-funk-fusion vein,
but many others try to break new ground, defying easy labels. Tobin Mueller - B3 organ, synth;
Woody Mankowski - soprano sax;
Chris Mueller - acoustic piano;
Jeff Cox - acoustic bass;
Dane Richeson - drums;
Tom Washatka - tenor sax;
Doug Schnieder - tenor sax;
Ken Schaphorst - flugelhorn;
Bob Levy - trumpet;
Sal Giorgianni - flute;
Bill Barner - clarinet.
WONDER - progressive rock/pop Jazz Fusion. Although this tour de force double album is mainly about the power of progressive rock, Mueller's interpretive jazz keyboards add a modal flavor to each track. Styles transcends prog and pop, with influences of jazz, classical, electronica and world music layered throughout. Features rearrangements of songs from his Audiocracy years, rock operas and stage shows, plus new material certain to blow you away.
Mickey Spleen Save the Day - Jazz Musical Theatre. This delightful recording is Mueller's educational children's musical about the human body, health and the immune system. It features his CenterStage youth Theatre Troupe performing his film noir who-done-it musical comedy. Characters include Mickey Spleen, Vinny Virus, The Lymphette Sisters and the GI Guys. Mueller wrote 8 children's musicals, but this is the only all-jazz score.
Instead of Heaven - Contemplative piano meditations, all original compositions using Greek myth as inspiration. 10-tracks forms a lyrical song cycle, a spiritual journey both emotional and intellectual. Melds modal post-bop, Contemporary Romanticism, Jazz Impressionism and New Age styles. Influences include: Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Michel Camilo, as well as Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff. "Uniquely breathtaking, adding to the musical language of contemporary piano." George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Afterwords - Combining spoken word and
solo piano, Tobin "illustrates" his favorite works of literature with a wide variety of new
musical compositions. He pays homage to classic authors like Hemmingway, Steinbeck, Vonnegut,
Faulkner, as well as new authors Dave Eggers, Chuck Palahniuk, Aimee Bender and China Miéville. Musical influences include Oscar Peterson, Hiromi, Brad Maldheu, Fred Hersch, John Taylor, even Keith Emerson. "An astonishing work of art."
Flow: The Music of J.S. Bach and Tobin Mueller, especially Disc 2 - Tobin plays Tobin. Two post-bop jazz piano suites make up Disc 2. Each shows Bach influences, but draws more from contemporaries Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch and Gerald Clayton. "This may be the pianist-composer’s most ambitious and sophisticated recording project to date... a journey that inevitably explores the interactions of Baroque and jazz." Fanfare Magazine's 2015 Editor's Choice Award.
Of Two Minds: The Music of Frédéric Chopin and Tobin Mueller, especially Disc 2 - Tobin plays Tobin. Three original jazz piano sonatas make up Disc 2. Each shows Chopin influences, but draws more from contemporaries Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck and Keith Jarrett. "One would be hard-pressed to find an artist with a more creative musical mind than Tobin Mueller’s - especially one with the playing chops to fulfill his or her vision." Fanfare Magazine's 2016 Editor's Choice Award.
Impressions of Water and Light is an exploration of the cross-inspirations between Impressionist and contemporary jazz piano,
including adaptations of music by Debussy, Ravel, Fauré, Satie, Ibert and Carpenter. "The listener has the sense that Mueller is having his personal conversation as a composer and pianist with these great 19th- and 20th-century composers." This is third album of "The Masterworks Trilogy" which includes Flow and Of Two Minds.
Midwinter Born is a collection of jazz piano interpretations of traditional
Christmas carols. Mueller captures the quiet simplicity, expectant playfulness and over-riding joy of the season. The 18 track album includes: First
Noel, Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Holy Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Carol of the Bells, Lo How A Rose E'er Bloom, Good King Wenceslas, Still, Still, Still and many more.
Morning Whispers is Tobin's first solo piano collection, a song cycle of
tragic beauty. Music of healing and introspection, these New Age and Neo-Classical pieces do more than evoke emotion: they tell stories. Influences include Aaron Copland, Bill Evans, David Lanz, Liz Story. Several of these piano pieces have since been used in film and documentaries.
13 Masks is Tobin's second solo piano collection. An exploration of the links between avant-garde 20th Century music and jazz, influences
include Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, Art Tatum, John Medeski, as well as classical composers Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Ligeti, Bartok. "A truly unique album with music to really sink your teeth into."
Afterwords: Solo Piano Bonus Tracks - For those of you who prefer music without any interruptions, seven of the best tracks from Afterwords have been remastered with the talking edited out. Originally conceived for distribution to jazz radio stations, this Bonus Album is now avaiilable to the egeneral public. Influences include Oscar Peterson, Hiromi, Brad Maldheu, Fred Hersch, John Taylor; post-bop, stride, new age, classic jazz.
WONDER - progressive rock/pop fusion. This tour de force double album combines the power and virtuosity of prog with the intimate simplicity of lullabies. Track list alternates between vocals songs and instrumentals, giving time to contemplate Mueller's poetic lyrics. Styles transcends prog and pop, with influences of jazz, classical, electronica and world music layered throughout. Features appearances by Michael Hedges, Scott Rockenfield, Bob Piper (Pleiades), Anton Mueller (Audiocracy), Steve Stone, Aaron Paul, Lennon Loveday (Shadow of Nine), more...
Prestidigitation - Contemporary Prog Fusion. Mueller's all-star band takes on Frank Zappa, Yes, Happy the Man, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone and more. Featured soloists: Paul Nelson (Grammy-winning guitarist), David Dejesus (Birdland Jazz Band director), Ruben de Ruiter (John Patitucci Band), Woody Mankowski (What Survives)... "A jazz-fusion tour de force. Each spin and turn opens the door to a new interpretive wrinkle that is sure to delight."
Audiocracy - progressive rock - A post-political neo-prog concept
album. Tobin Mueller: vocals, keyboards; Twøn: vocals, bass;
Darren Chapman: guitars; Bob Piper/Tadashi Togawa: guitars; Rob Thurman: drums. "A symphonic whirlwind of passion and sensations. With their tight, gorgeous arrangements,
the songs used every hertz of my sound system. The album flows from idea to idea like birds winging from
tree to tree. I predict you will return to this album time and time again, gaining new insight, just like
I did." - Progressive Magazine.
A Bit of Light - A progressive folk / cross-genre collection of songs Tobin's been accumulating for a decade,
A Bit of Light includes some of his favorite collaborations with
saxophonists, fiddle players and guitarists, mixing jazz, bluegrass, tango and folk-rock. World renown violinist Entcho Todorov, Grammy winner
saxophonist Danny McCaslin and L.A.'s Woody Mankowski, Enlish fiddler Martyn Kember-Smith and guitarist John Luper provide fabulous highlights. The CD comes
with a digital booklet in PDF format.
If I Could Live Long Enough - Previously unreleased
outtakes from earlier projects, including the 1998-1999 Rain Bather sessions, the 2004-2006 MacJams collaborations, and selected songs from two of Mueller's musicals: Creature and Runners In A Dream.
Featuring acoustic guitar by Grammy winner Michael Hedges, vocals by Woody Mankowski and Emily Rohm,
and some of Mueller's best songwriting. Six free Bonus Tracks available here.
September 11 Project: Ten Years Later - Music written following 9/11/2001. Tobin was asked to participate in the 10th
anniversary at Ground Zero ceremony and revisted these songs. He decided to put them out as an album instead of keep
them to myself. Since he was unable to sing at the event, after contracting a lung disorder, this music gained layers
of poignancy. Recorded in the months following the tragedy.
Standard Deviations - Jazz/Blues - Keyboardist Tobin Mueller is joined by Grammy-winner Paul Nelson (guitars), Woody Mankowski (saxophones), Lamar Moore & Mike Nappi (percussionists) to breathe new life into 33 standards in this fresh Two Volume CD. An homage to Monk, Ellington, Gershwin, Brubeck, Bernstein, Berlin, Kern, Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael, Lennon-McCartney, Richard Rodgers, Harold Arlen, Billy Strayhorn and more. "The greatest collection of reimagined standards in the last decade."
What Survives - Radio Edits - Jazz - Remastered Radio Edits of the best tracks from What Survives - Volumes 1 & 2. Fresh and spontaneous yet expertly crafted arrangements. Contemporary Jazz at its finest. Ensemble includes: Woody Mankowski, Ron Carter, Bill Barner, Doug Schneider, Tom Washatka, Ken Schaphorst, Bob Levy, Dane Richeson, Martyn Kember-Smith and Tobin’s nephew Chris Mueller. CD contains 15 tracks; digital version includes 3 Bonus Tracks.
The Muller's Wheel - Contemporary Combo Jazz - Remastered
as "Müller's Wheel," this jazz ensemble recording takes you on a joyous
history of instrumental jazz from acoustic fusion to bop, swing to funk. The happiest, hippest hour of music you'll ever hear, featuring
Tobin Mueller on piano & organ, Woody Mankowski on saxes. All original tunes that pay homage to jazz greats that came before. Released 2010; remixed and
reissued 2012.
Puzzle People - Love and loss, joy and betrayal, courage and perserverence define this spoken word offering. Each poem selected is accompanied by Mueller's original music that ranges from jazz to fusion to pop prog. The force and color of Del's readings earn this collection a high recommendation, but the synergy of Tobin's breathtaking music make this a truly compelling addition to Mueller's collected works. The CD includes 3 instrumental tracks as well.
TOBIN MUELLER: Best of the CenterStage Years - soundtrack/musicals. Compilation of 42 songs from Mueller's 9 musicals produced under the CenterStage banner. Volume One highlights his delightful children's pop rock educational music; Volume Two presents his rock opera and dramatic Broadway offerings. From humorous wordplay to romantic soliloquys to rock anthems, this music informs, inspires, entertains and satisfies.
Prestidigitation - Jazz Fusion Standards. Mueller's all-star band takes on Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Frank Zappa, Weather Report, Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, more. Featured soloists: Paul Nelson (Grammy-winning guitarist), David Dejesus (Birdland Jazz Band director), Ruben de Ruiter (John Patitucci Band), Woody Mankowski (What Survives)... "A jazz-fusion tour de force. Each spin and turn opens the door to a new interpretive wrinkle that is sure to delight."
Standard Deviations - Jazz/Blues - The only instrumental album in Tobin's "Standards" collection. An homage to Monk, Ellington, Gershwin, Brubeck, Hoagy Carmichael, Lennon-McCartney, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Henri Mancini, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer and more, featuring great players and innovative arrangements. "The greatest collection of reimagined standards in the last decade."
Song Of Myself - Tobin's favorite songs from The American Songbook, reinterpretted. Intimate, heartfelt,
devistatingly honest music. Complete lyrics and song notes are linked
from Tobin's Song of Myself page. Ballads, blues, showtunes,
folk rock, jazz - the music of Tobin's roots. These are songs he's song
for decades, arrangements that have evolved and matured with him. "American Tune" by Paul Simon. "Blackbird" by Paul McCartney. Bob Dylan's "Dignity." A
Joni Mitchell and an Elton John medly. "Being Alive" from Company (Stephen Sondheim).
"Impossible Dream" from Man of la Mancha. "Oh Danny Boy." "Frozen Man" by James Taylor.
Many more, plus two original songs by Tobin Mueller.
Hard Place To Find - Tobin has released a second volume of his
favorite songs from The American Songbook. Complete lyrics and song notes are linked from Tobin's Hard Place To Find project page.
"Still Crazy" by Paul Simon. Bob Dylan's "Shelter from the Storm"
and "Bob Dylan's Dream." Richie Haven's "Paradise." "Dulcinea" from Man of la Mancha. "Alfie" by Bacharach.
"Somewhere" from West Side Story. Many more, plus one original song by Tobin Mueller. All songs have to do
with journeying, questing, searching. Released June 2nd, 2013. "Tobin Mueller is something of a Renaissance man of the arts, and 'Hard Place To Find' presents another
volume in his prolific and impressive output. More of an art-music album than a pop release, I recommend
it if you are looking for something different and deeply personal!" - Kathy Parsons, Mainly Piano
TOBIN MUELLER: Best of the CenterStage Years - soundtrack/musicals. Compilation of 42 songs from Mueller's 9 musicals produced under the CenterStage banner. Volume One highlights his delightful children's educational music; Volume Two presents his Broadway offerings. From humorous wordplay to clever histories, romantic soliloquys to powerful rock opera duets, this music informs, inspires, entertains and satisfies.
