Welcome to Tobin Mueller's official website. It contains selections from his major recordings, as well as selected poetry, photography, music videos and personal commentary.
Tobin Mueller is a composer, playwright and interpretive pianist living in Connecticut. His musical compositions range from Jazz Fusion to Progressive Rock, Broadway musicals to Old-School Funk, Jamband improvisations to Classical ballet. In the late 1970s, he was one of several composer-pianists who developed what became known as New Age music, although Tobin's style identifies more closely with complex modal/post-bop jazz. Mueller is a NYC Dramatist Guild Broadway playwright, a composer-lyricist-producer member of ASCAP, and has appeared on over 40 albums. (See: Best of Tobin Mueller, Vol. 1-5 for the definitive compilation of his ensemble recordings.)
Tobin has recorded with Grammy winners Dave Brubeck, Ron Carter, Michael Hedges, Donny McCaslin, Jon Anderson (from Yes), Brian Welch ("Head" from Korn), Bob Lanzetti (founding member of Snarky Puppy), Carl Fischer, Sal Giorgianni, Roy Agee, as well as Grammy nominees Dane Richeson (Blue Note Records), Ken Schaphorst (founding member of Boston-based Jazz Composers Alliance), Janet Planet, Noah Hoffeld (Brad Mehldau) and more. He has collaborated with Grammy winner and Blues Hall of Fame guitarist Paul Nelson on two albums (Prestidigitation and Standard Deviations). Contributions on his recordings from famous drummers include: Scott Rockenfield (Queensrÿche), Ruben de Ruiter (Amsterdam Funk Orchestra, John Patitucci Band), Lamar Moore (Lettuce), Mike Nappi (J Geils Band). Early in his career, he had the honor of playing with Maynard Ferguson.
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Tobin Mueller is one of the most diverse and talented jazz composers today. Contemporary jazz at its finest."
Although Mueller is mainly known as a jazz composer, arranger and performer, his solo work at the piano may be the more important facet of his legacy. Mueller has expanded the language of composition and contemporary expression. He effortlessly combines Modal Jazz and Post-Bop energy with Baroque, Romantic, Impressionist and contemporary classical techniques. His music transcends the boundaries of genre and generation.
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One piano, one player. And the result is gorgeous. Blending classical Romanticism and contemporary jazz vibes, ambience and adventure, understatement and ornateness, he bares his musical soul. If there were such a thing as magic in the world, indeed, this is it."
Tobin comes from a musical family. His grandfather was a violinist for silent films. His mother was a jazz vocalist. He began accompanying her on piano when he was 14. In the 1990s, Tobin moved from Wisconsin to
New York City where his Off Broadway career took shape. Later, he would volunteer at Ground
Zero, following the attack on 9/11/2001, and subsequently suffered lung damage. He no longer sings. "This makes me cherish the piano all the more," he states. (See
Chopin and I: Music That Transcends.)
Tobin is currently in the studio working on a collection of his best piano compositions, At The Piano, and piano covers, Interpretations. Each will be released as a 2-volume set. The four new albums will include remastered recordings as well as 9 new performances.
His most frequent collaborator, saxophonist Woody Mankowski, was, like Mueller, born in Wisconsin. Even though Mankowski ended up on the West Coast and Mueller on the East Coast, they continued to record together, generating 6 albums. Many of these efforts are on Mueller's career-spanning compilation, Best of Tobin Mueller, Vol. 1-5, 100 tracks of contemporary music with styles that include bop, funk, jazz fusion, New Orleans, world, progressive rock, fusion folk, pop, blues, and reimagined standards.
Best of Tobin Mueller, Vol. 1: Jazz Originals (2023) charted at #7 on its release (MMD/NACC). This stunning collection features such greats as Ron Carter, Donny McCaslin, Paul Nelson, Dane Richeson, Scott Rockenfield, Emily Rohm, and especially Woody Mankowski. Mueller is front and center on piano, B3 organ, and a vast collection of vintage keyboards. Its breakout single, "Windowshade", charted at #15 on "Top Singles" (MMD), the only instrumental recording on the list.
"Speak Truth to Power", a Spotify hit, led off Volume 3: Prog Fusion, which charted at #13 on its release (JamBands). Top singles include: "My Heart Still Beats", which charted at 13 on the singles charts; "Let The Rumpus Begin" reached #14. See Best of Tobin Mueller to read reviews for each volume.
“
A symphonic whirlwind of prog passion! Led by the massive keyboards of Tobin Mueller, it is a true combination of energy and poetry. You will return to this collection time and time again.”
Brian Gerhart, The Progressive Ear
His 2022 release, the high energy jazz fusion album, Prestidigitation, is touted as his best studio recording. It's breakout single, "What Is Hip?", debuted at #5 on NACC radio chart. "Birdland/Long Distance Runaround", called "the best cover of 'Birdland' ever recorded" by All About Jazz, debuted at #8. The album reached #13 on the Jambands chart, #14 on the College Radio chart, and several tracks have made Spotify's Best Of 2022 playlist. An homage to the founders of jazz fusion, it is a follow-up to his 2018 2-Volume opus, Standard Deviations, which reached #16 on the FM Jazz Radio charts and #18 on Independent Radio. Both recordings feature Grammy-wining guitarist, Paul Nelson, who displays his progressive blues-funk-fusion chops with magical dexterity.
In between these two successes, Mueller released three well-reviewed albums: two in 2021 - Instead of Heaven, a solo piano album inspired by Greek myths, and Puzzle People, spoken word recordings that combine his music and award-winning poetry. In 2020 he released a double album, What Survives, featuring a 9-piece contemporary big band jazz ensemble. "One of the freshest and most sheerly entertaining, intriguing and exciting recordings I've come across," wrote Brad Walseth, Chicago Jazz. What Survives are jazz arrangements of original tunes from Mueller's Broadway musical "Creature" (1995-1998).
Two standout jazz ensemble recordings add to Mueller's impressive catalog: Come In Funky (2014) featured bass legend Ron Carter. Eclectic and playful, the album incorporates a mix of old-school Big Band Funk and hip experimental duets between Mueller and Carter. The Muller's Wheel combined forces with saxophonist Woody Mankowski, including forays into fusion, funk, bebop, swing and contemporary jazz. "Consistently intriguing and colorful", states jazz historian Scott Yanow.
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One of the most innovative minds creating music today…
I love that Mueller ignores all boundaries for musical genres in his music,
juxtaposing jazz, blues, Broadway, prog rock, New Age, classical stylings…
giving free reign to his vast experience and training along with an imagination
that knows no limitations."
Another acclaimed accomplishment is Mueller's 2019 released, WONDER, an original 28-track prog rock/fusion "tour de force. A masterpiece in the Epic Prog tradition” (Eric Harabadian, Progressive Magazine).
Mueller is both a composer and interpretive pianist. He often pairs art and literature with his music, creating mutli-layered interconnected works. His project Instead of Heaven (2021), is inspired by Greek myths. 13 Masks (2007) pairs each piece with an aristic mask representing different unconscious states. "An astonishing work of art," according to reviewer Kathy Parson. Afterwords, a 2017 Jazziz Critics' Choice, underscores great quotes from literature with original compositions. "Brilliant and thoughtful" writes Dodie Miller-Gould (Lemon Wire). "For those hearing of Mueller for the first time, this music serves as an insightful introduction to a body of work that is often as intellectually challenging as it is technically proficient."
The first half of his career was spent mainly writing classical ballet and musical theatre. Then, in 2005, he released his first solo piano album Morning Whispers and never turned back. His association with the stage brings a sense of storytelling to all of his work. "I imagine theatrical or cinematic scenes playing out during every music composition I write," he states.
A prolific songwriter and arranger, he's released at least one album every year since 2005, many of them double albums. Please see a complete list of his available recordings. To get a taste of his stage musical output, see the compilation TOBIN MUELLER: Best of the CenterStage Years. If you are interested in his written word, check out his spoken word album featuring Gregory DelTufo: Puzzle People.
Tobin's works include jazz and progressive rock, solo piano compositions, musical theatre, film scores, ballets, symphonies, video game soundtracks and children's music. He has written lyrics, stage plays, fiction, political essays, poetry, philosophy, domestic humor, video game storylines, software and keyboard reviews. As a playwright, at least five of his musical dramas have been produced Off-Broadway, as well as performed on nearly every continent. He's sold his photographs to the hotel industry and his digital illustrations as part of his web design work. But he has always thought of himself as a composer, first and foremost.
"My happiest music is my Jazz ensemble recordings," Tobin writes. Rain Bather, a jazz ensemble recording, won the 2009 Midwest Jazz Album of
the Year award (JazzChicago.net). Tobin's jazz recordings have
been showcased regularly on the syndicated radio show "Expressions of Jazz" as well as dozens of regional FM stations across the country, NPR, I Heart Radio, Spotlight Recordings at All About Jazz, Deezer, Spotify, etc. Some of the most successful of these
collaborations have been with L.A. saxophonist Woody Mankowski. One of their tracks from Come In Funky - "Beam Up the Funk" - was used as an intro piece on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2014). Woody also plays tenor and soprano sax on some earlier non-jazz releases, including A Bit Of Light, If I Could Live Long Enough and
Song of Myself.
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In each of these recordings Tobin Mueller proves his originality, his inquisitiveness as
a musician and a thinker, and his fluid, full throttle energy as a pianist. One continually has the
sense that the piano is Mueller’s alter ego, and when he sits down to play, to arrange, or to improvise,
he is engaging in an exciting dialogue of discovery with his inner self."
As a musical director, Tobin has conducted other people's scores as well, including "Jesus Christ Superstar", and performed in other people's shows, including "Into the Woods" and "Forever Plaid". Before moving to Manhattan, he toured CenterStage Theatre Troupe around the world, performing for diverse audiences, including many involved with UNEP, the environmental arm of the United Nations. His song "We Are the Ones" was the theme song for the 1992 UN International Youth Day Celebration held in Washington, D.C., and later became the theme song for C.A.P.E. (Children's Alliance for Protection of the Environment). "One of the highlights of my career was working with the United Nations and environmental
NGOs during the late 80s and early 90s," Mueller writes. "In addition to writing environmental plays for youths, I helped plan international events that empowered youths in the worldwide
environmental movement."
His song "Sweet Liberty" was played during the 1986 Statue of Liberty Centennial celebration. The song was later incorporated into his musical "Robin Hood and the Free People of the Forrest" (CenterStage, 1991) as well as the Off Broadway show "Freedom’s First Light" (music and lyrics by Tobin Mueller, book by Ed Medina, 1994).
As founder of ArtsForge - an online arts community dedicated to cross-genre collaborations (founded in 1998) - Tobin participated in expanding the power of the Internet to communicate across distances. ArtsForge collaborations resulted in many projects, including eBooks and video games. Check out some of these endeavors on Tobin's Writings page.
Mueller was also instrumental in developing the songwriting website MacJams.com which flourished from 2004-2009. He was it’s sole moderator and podcast director, engaged in daily discussions and tutorials about music composition and recording techniques, and created 168 original songs there. At its height, MacJams enjoyed more than 300,000 active members.
"The joys of my current life," Mueller writes, "have more to do with sitting in front of my grand piano
and playing for my wife Suzanne after dinner." As he struggles with A1AD - the genetic lung and immunity disorder
that threatens to shorten his life - private moments at the keyboard become more transcendent. "My wife inspires and nurtures everything I am able to accomplish." Tobin also has four grown children and four growing grandchildren.
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Tobin Mueller is insanely talented and ridiculously prolific. He has made music across a range of instruments and genres. He is particularly interested in creating music in reference to other art forms. What drives him to create so much music?"
- Mick Theebs, Beat magazine
Decades ago, he attended Marquette University (1977, the year they won the National Championship) and the University of Wisconsin (including the year they won the NCAA Hockey Championship), studying musical composition, physics and journalism. It appears he may well be a good luck charm, along with everything else.
At The Piano, Vol. 1 & 2 - solo piano. The best of Mueller's original piano works. An excellent collection of modal jazz, contemporary classical, new age and old school jazz. Puts Mueller on level of Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, Gerald Clayton, David Lanz and Hiromi. "One man at the piano dealing in jazz-infused contemporary numbers expressing feelings and capturing emotions, telling sonic stories that take music to both elegant and eloquent heights." (Dave Franklin, UK Reviews)
Interpretations, Vol. 1 & 2 - solo piano. The best of Mueller's piano covers, including six new arrangements/recordings. Fusing modal jazz with Baroque, Romanticism, Impressionism and contemporary classical. Includes fresh interpretations of J. S. Bach, Frédéric Chopin, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Hoagy Carmichael, Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, traditional carols and more. This collection shows the connections and shared inspirations that have been passed down from era to era. Release date: August 2024.
Instead of Heaven - solo piano. Contemplative piano meditations using Greek and Roman myths as inspiration. The 10-track album forms a flowing, romantic song cycle, a spiritual journey of both emotional and intellectual content. Melds modal post-bop, Romanticism, Jazz Impressionism and New Age styles. Influences include: Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Brad Meldhau, Michel Camilo, as well as Chopin, Debussy, Beethoven. "Adds to the musical language of both modal post-bop jazz and neo-classical piano. A rarity." (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."
Of Two Minds: The Music of Frédéric Chopin and Tobin Mueller the final addition
to Mueller's "The Masters Trilogy" in which he explores the interconnections between classical and jazz genres. Mueller reinterprets Chopin's most iconic piano solos (Disc 1)
and uses Chopin's preludes to inspire three original jazz piano sonatas (Disc 2). Seductive, rebellious, heroic,
lovely, Mueller embraces Romanticism at its core, making it distinctly personal and deeply poetic. Fanfare Magazine's
2016 Editor's Choice Award.
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, full of emotion and intelligence, one part homage, one part internal romance.
New Age, Neo-Classical, Modal Jazz and Baroque all combined in seamless synergy. 16-page booklet included with 2-disc
CD set. See the project page for details. Achieved Fanfare Magazine's 2015 Editor's Choice Award. Flow is second album of "The Masterworks Trilogy".
Impressions of Water & Light - an
exploration of Impressionist piano music, including Debussy, Ravel, Fauré and Satie. Using the written
notes as if they are light and his imagination as if it is water, Tobin creates all new interpretations
exploring the inherent intimacy between jazz and Impressionist music. You will never hear these works the
same again. The CD package itself is a work of art, includes beautiful Impressionist paintings to illustrate
each piece. SoloPiano.com Album of the Year (2014). First album of "The Masterworks Trilogy".
Midwinter Born - a
collection of jazz piano reinterpretations of 18 traditional Christmas carols, Mueller captures the
quiet simplicity, expectant playfulness and over-riding joy of the season. It is perhaps his most accessible solo piano album. The wonder of Christmas unfolds as he takes you on a yuletide
journey through his musical imagination. A progressive rock synth-driven medley completes the album with a surprise Bonus Track. For details, see Midwinter
Born Liner Notes.
Morning Whispers - New
age / Neo-classical solo piano combining lyrical impressionism, healing emotions and
contemporary jazz influences. A song cycle of tragic beauty. Almost every track is
elegant, giving, combining joy and melancholy, a breath of morning. Influences include
Frederic Chopin, Claude Debussy, Aaron Copland, Keith Jarret, Chic Corea, Bill Evans, David Lanz, Liz Story.
13 Masks - An interweaving
of jazz, avant-garde classical and "Progressive Ragtime." Blending each style through the
chaos of the subconscious, the composer wanted to create compelling, surprising musical stories. Indeed, he has! 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. Also, check out the thirteen Medieval masks that served as inspiration to each track.
With Tobin Mueller’s jazz piano excursions, what first strikes the listener is not only Mueller’s skill as a pianist, but his comprehensive grasp of form and structure; for only with such a complete understanding as his foundation, can Mueller dare to embark on his own “takes” on these classics. In addition, his original piano compositions are imbued with a transcendent feeling for the connections between nature and music and the cyclical energy of the human experience... Genius."
- Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold, Fanfare Magazine
Jazz / Big Band / Funk
Best of Tobin Mueller, Volumes 1-2 - First two volumes of his 5-volume compilation, presenting Mueller's best Contemporary Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Blues, and 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, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, Weather Report, 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 - Volumes 1 & 2 - Jazz - This collection displays Mueller's breadth of talent as a composer, while featuring some of the greatest jazz players out there. Big Band, Fusion, Funk, World, Post-Bop and Progressive are all brought to life on this vibrant and varied recording. Several vocal ballads sung by Woody Mankowski provide the chill, as the overriding vibe explodes with exuberant contemporary jazz. Volume 2 constains previously unreleased composer demos that will delight Mueller's theatrical fans. 26 tracks.
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, Doug Schneider, Tom Washatka, Ken Schaphorst, Bob Levy, Dane Richeson, Ron Carter, Bill Barner, 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, Hoagy Carmichael, Lennon-McCartney and more. "The greatest collection of reimagined standards in the last decade."
Come In Funky - Jazz/Funk - Old School Funk and and small
combo featuring Jazz Hall of Fame bassist Ron Carter. This eclectic blend of Jazz and Funk is the second
collaboration between keyboardist Tobin Mueller and saxophonist Woody Mankowski. Half of these tunes will
transport you back in time to when most everything (music, clothes, language) owed its hipness to the Funk
wing of 1970s jazz. The other half resonates with unique intimacy, playfulness and humor. A delight.
For more info, see: Come In Funky Project page. 2014.
Müller's Wheel - small combo jazz - Remastered
and now on CD, formerly titled "The Muller's Wheel," this jazz ensemble recording takes you on a joyous
history of instrumental jazz from bop to fusion, 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. For more info, see: The Muller's Wheel Project page.
Rain Bather - big band jazz - tour de force by an all-star ensemble. Winner of "Album of the Year" for 2009 at JazzChicago.net. B3 organ, piano, saxes, flugelhorn, trumpet, flute, clarinet, acoustic bass and drums. "One
of the freshest and most sheerly entertaining, intriguing and exciting recordings I've come across. Rain
Bather is the product of its composer's kaleidoscopic mind. A true panorama of pulsing big band horns,
wacky organs, fiddles, flutes, clarinets and beats, that succeeds by accurately capturing the sound of
someone smiling." - Brad Walseth
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 general public. Influences include Oscar Peterson, Hiromi, Brad Maldheu, Fred Hersch, Keith Jarrett; post-bop, stride, new age, classic jazz.
You guys can play! A stellar set of recordings that, I believe, adds seriously to the body of
jazz that this represents. Ron Carter’s bass drives. Tobin Mueller’s own work on the organ fascinates.
Woody Mankowski is on fire from track to track. Remarkable work in every single way I can think of,
played with a spirit of invention and joy from the first notes to the last. A delightful experience
to hear such excellent compositions played so beautifully in this most-lively of styles."
- Paul Page
Rock: Prog Rock / Pop / Folk Fusion
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
rearrangements of songs from his Audiocracy years, rock operas and stage shows, plus new material certain to blow you away.
Prestidigitation - Contemporary Jazz 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."
A Bit of Light - contemporary folk fusion - featuring Mueller on vocals and fabulous backing players. Styles range from tango to jazz fusion, yet always seem to gravitate to contemporary
folk rock. These inventive arrangements paint an entertaining yet honest, intimate portrait
of the artist. Featuring: Tony nominee Entcho Todorov-violin; Grammy winner Donny McCaslin & Woody Mankowski-saxes; more.
"The songs on A Bit of
Light run an emotional gamut, telling of life's joys and sorrows, deep love and the end of
love. Recommended!" - Kathy Parsons
If I Could Live Long Enough - Previously unreleased
outtakes from earlier projects, including the 1998 Rain Bather sessions, the 2004-2006 collaborations
that contributed to A Bit Of Light. and songs from 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. The album page includes 6 Bonus Tracks not available on any other website!
September 11 Project: Ten Years Later - Music
written following 9/11/2001. "I was asked to participate in the 10th anniversary at Ground Zero
ceremony and revisted these songs," Mueller writes. "I decided to put them out as an album instead
of keep them to myself. Since I can no longer sing, after contracting a lung disorder, hearing this
music has several layers of poignancy." Recorded in the months following the tragedy. Also see the 9/11 Project page for notes, photos and Mueller's eye-witness
commentary.
Audiocracy - progressive rock - A post-political neo-prog concept
album. Tobin Mueller: vocals, keyboards, B3; Twøn: lead vocals, bass;
Darren Chapman, 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
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.
Vocal and string vibrations of a man in and out of time, by an artist who knows how to coax from his instrument a wide range of emotions. As thoughts and feelings about his own human condition move beyond the boundaries of words, Tobin finds supernal expression in his piano. There is frailty (due to his respiratory problems) admixed with openness, honesty and self awareness. What more can I say? Congratulations on this commingling of words and piano, an appealing tapestry of interwoven introspection and extrospection. Bravo!"
- Richard Schletty
Voice and Piano: The American Songbook
Song Of Myself - voice/piano - Tobin's favorite songs from the American Songbook,
reinterpretted. Intimate, heartfelt, evocative arrangements sung with
the vocal burden of a devistating lung disorder, adding to their poignancy. Ballads,
blues, showtunes, folk rock, jazz - songs Mueller has sung
for decades at his home piano now shared with everyone. Includes songs by Jamez Taylor,
Lennon/McCartney, Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell, more. Complete lyrics, song notes
and mp3 links on Tobin's Song of Myself project page.
Hard Place To Find - voice/piano - Tobin's
favorite songs from the American Songbook, Volume Two. Including: "Still Crazy" (Paul Simon), "Bob Dylan's Dream" and
"Shelter from the Storm" (Dylan), "Paradise" (Richie Havens), "Don Quixote" (Gorgon Lightfoot), "Dulcinea" (from Man of
la Mancha), and "Alfie"
(Bacharach). Many more, plus an original song by Tobin Mueller, "Let Yourself." All songs have to
do with journeying, questing, searching. For lyrics, song notes and mp3 links, see
Hard Place To Find project page.
Puzzle People - Love and loss, joy and betrayal, courage and perserverence define this spoken word offering. Each poem selected is accompanied by Mueller's emotionally stimulating background music that both illustrates and adds conceptual depth. 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.
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."
From the Creation, avant-garde drama performed by Odyssey Playhouse.
1973:
Find the Cost, surreal drama performed by the Samuel Pickard Theater.
Collaborations...
Collaboration is at the heart of many of Mueller's projects. "All of my stage plays involved collaborations," Mueller states. "Writing musical theatre has honed my collaborative instincts. Directors, producers, design people, actors and co-writers all are part of the creative process. It's a whirlwind of interaction. Unlike film, in theatre the author provides the
central vision... one of the reasons I love it."
One of Mueller's most recent music collaboration is Prestidigitation. Each track is arranged and initially recorded by Mueller, multi-tracking keyboards, bass, MIDI drums, etc. Under the producing acumen of Kenny Cash, Factory Underground Studios, the drummer is brought in next to replace Mueller's sketch, often times without the aid of a click track. The backing band, horns and reeds, are then added, usually requiring several overdubs, creating the illusion of a large ensemble. Then the soloists record, often changing the arrangement further. A great deal of editing, moving around, remixing occurs, then Mueller plays in the final versions of his acoustic piano, B3 organ, various electronic keyboards, Trilian basses, etc. The interplay between Mueller, the producer and the other musicians sometimes completely transforms the original concept... It's a far cry from projects like What Survives, where everyone played together in a single large room separated by glass partitions, in a more old-school fashion.
Paul Nelson - electric guitar
Woody Mankowski - saxophones
Mike Nappi - drums
Lamar A. Moore - drums, hand percussion
Pat Wayland - guitar
Kenny Cash - bass, producer
His collaboration with Ron Carter resulted in the unique Jazz-Funk album Come In Funky. The recordings wthey made together form duet interludes between more old-school Big Band funk arrangements. They represent fleeting moments of improvisational etudes.
Collaborations with friend and jazz saxophonist Woody Mankowski resulted in The
Muller's Wheel, 14 tracks that illustrate the evolution of jazz. They wanted to write their own happy history of
jazz, from swing to bop to funk, and this was the result. That recording led to their following funk album, Come In Funky, which added legendary bassist Ron Carter into the mix. These two happy recordings are great additons to Mueller's jazz catalog that began with Rain Bather. [NOTE: Many of the tracks from the Rain Bather sessions have been remastered, edited, and added to for my 2020 opus What Survives. Please check out both recordings!
B3 organ, keys: Tobin Mueller
Piano: Chris Mueller (Tobin's nephew), Doug Schneider
Saxes: Woody Mankowksi, Tom Washatka, Doug Schneider, Sal Giorgianni
Trumpets - Bob Levy, Carl Fischer
Flugelhorn - Ken Schaphorst
Flute - Sal Giorgianni
Clarinet - Bill Barner
Acoustic bass: Jeff Cox
Electric bass: Butch Taylor
Electric guitars: Richie Hart, McBoy
Drums/percussion: Dane Richeson
In the early 1990s, Mueller formed a progressive rock band with guys spread all around the globe.
They called themselves "Audiocracy", a play on words indicating both the reign of music and the post-political
nature of the band's lyrics. Progressive rock is a combination of rock inventions, classical
virtuosity and jazz freedoms. Re-arrangements and re-masters of these recordings, plus new tracks, resulted in the 019 release, WONDER. The most noteable collaborations on that album are with Michael Hedges and Bob Piper.
Muller's 2007 progressive folk fusion recording A Bit Of Light and 2016 retrospective jazz-pop release If I Could Live Long Enough both feature wonderful contributions
from very talented musicians found on MacJams.com. Donny McCaslin (who collaborated with David Bowie on his final album) also plays on "Icarus" and "Crazy Stories":
Entcho Todorov - violin
Bill Barner - clarinet & tenor sax
John Luper - guitar
Thor Oliverson - bass & guitar
John Selva - bass
Martyn Kember-Smith - fiddle
The entire spirit behind Artsforge.com, the website Mueller founded in 1998, is collaboration. When Artsforge was in its heyday, dozens of recordings, a space opera video game, several collaborative short stories, and two eBooks were created. The timing of the eBooks was slightly ahead of its time and the gaming world changed so fast it was difficult to remain up to date with video game code and hardware. As Mueller became more involved with his own records, the collaborative writing aspect of the site skidded sideways. ArtsForge is now a place to view interesting art, listen to music and dream of what might have been.
Mueller also helped develop MacJams.com into an internet powerhouse in the mid 2000s. "I saw its potential as a collaborative songwriting site", Mueller recalls. "I helped spawned tons of
great artist-to-artist collaborative projects there. It became a wonderful musicians' community. I spent 10 years encouraging and critiquing musicians, posting over 20,000 tips, observations and insights. It was a wonderful outlet to share the things I'd learned over my career."
From 1987 to 1995, before moving to New York City and concentrating on adult theatre, Mueller wrote
a series of youth educational musicals marketed by CenterStage
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