TOBIN MUELLER: At The Piano is a project in the early stages of development. It will become a remastered collection of Tobin Mueller' best piano pieces - including three new performances, two new compositions.
Tracks listed below link to the original, unchanged versions. They are pre-production references to help determine order, etc.
“
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."
Although Mueller is mainly known as a jazz performer/composer and Broadway playwright (see Best of Tobin Mueller: Jazz, Fusion, Funk & more), solo piano is the more important aspect of his legacy. It is at the piano, alone, that Mueller has expanded the language of composition and music expression.
“
Tobin Mueller proves his originality, his inquisitiveness as a musician and thinker. His fluid, full throttle energy as a pianist is inspiring. One continually has the sense that the piano is Mueller’s alter ego and when he sits down to play, to arrange or improvise, he is engaging in an exciting dialogue of discovery with his inner self. His compositional vocabulary and his prowess as a pianist are eloquent and elegant, lively and whimsical, provocative and inspirational by turns. Genius."
- Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold, Fanfare Magazine
Mueller utilizes differing genres in unique, compelling ways, creating a distinctive style all his own. He effortlessly combines Modal Jazz and Post-Bop energy with Baroque, Romantic, Impressionist and contemporaory Classical techniques. He uses Blues articulations and strong melodic lines, yet his keyboard arrangements sometimes sound more like full-blown ensemble arrangements, complete with secondary and sometimes tertiary countermelodies. The result is breathtaking virtuosity, accomplished without showiness.
“
I am in awe of Tobin’s fearless pursuit of honesty and originality in his work. If you have his entire collection, you know he will not duplicate anything previously recorded! One of the most innovative minds creating music today. Challenging yet accessible, Mueller’s music is never predictable and always takes us someplace new and surprising."
- Kathy Parson, Mainly Piano
He has often described his music as "narrative" in nature. Every composition tells a story, often a deep and complex journey. His music is smart yet emotional, elegant and authentice. Surprising yet comforting. Every recording should be listened to multiple times to appreciate the depth of thought and skill displayed.
“
There is at least one special moment in each composition that is uniquely breathtaking. Sometimes several. Inventive chord progressions add to the musical language of both post-bop modal jazz and contemporary classical piano. His music is often virtuosic yet avoids showiness. Everything feels organic and true. He requires the listener to pay attention yet also frees them to go on internal imaginative tangents. Storytelling on a deeply poignant level infuses every piece, expressing a singular personal honesty while revealing universal emotions. A rarity."
George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Mueller acknowledges the great artists he counts among his influence: Keith Jarrett, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and John Taylor. His acoustic piano stylings fit into the contemporary jazz field with such talents as Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, Liz Story, Gerald Clayton, David Lanz, Jim Brickman and Tigran Hamasyan. Mueller would be the first to acknowledge J. S. Bach, Frederich Chopin, Claude Debussy, George Gershwin and Duke Ellington, as well.
“
A virtuosic pianist with a vivid imagination. Full of superior piano playing. Highly personal music that is well worth exploring."
- Scott Yarnow, Music Journal
This compilation will be followed by a collection of Tobin's interpretaive piano recordings in 2025: TOBIN MUELLER: Interpretations, an exploration of Mueller's best solo piano covers which will include unique arrangements of Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Hoagy Carmichael, Dave Brubeck, Keith Jarret, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter more.
Photo on album cover taken by John Shyloski, Factory Underground Studios.
The Best of Tobin's Original Solo Piano Works MP3s and Sources
