![]() |
||||
| • RECORDINGS • STREAMING MUSIC PLAYERS • Commisions/Solo Piano • Jazz • Progressive Rock • Alternative • Musical Theatre • Children's Music • Tobin on iTunes • Tobin on CDBaby • |
||||
|
Tobin's Music |
||||
| Solo Piano... | ||||
![]() |
I am on a quest to create a series of piano recordings in various stylings, a body of work I hope will become a "quilt of personality" - the central expression of my musical mind. I've had the fortune of being able to bring the first two collections to life through commissions, private performances and CD recordings:
The first is Morning Whispers, a song cycle of tragic beauty. Although it's marketed as New Age - and I supposed that is the closest genre label - it is more Neo-Classical and melancholy than most New Age recordings. The use of key changes, unusual time signatures, and other variational devices makes this work involving, not merely background music. Its internal intensity, however, does not detract from its healing essence, its sense of inner joy. The second is 13 Masks. This project came out of discussions about the role subconscious plays in creativity. I used my illustration of 13 Masks to inspire songs combining ragtime, jazz and avant-garde classical, but tried to let my subconscious lead the way, creating phrases and variations that pleased something deep inside (not the tiny voice of my first composition teacher). I am very proud of the outcome.There are two more collections planned in the series: Myth and The Artsist. "Myth" will be a series of songs bring to life certain myths, utlitzing my storytelling experience, emphasizing classical styles. "The Artists" will use my favorite painters as muses, as starting points, and I will attempt to paint jazz portraits of each. I'm very excited to continue playing. For more details, see Tobin Mueller's Recordings... |
|||
| Rain Bather / Jazz... | ||||
![]() |
Technically, all my solo piano recordings are listed under jazz. But my first pure jazz recording was What Survives, an independent release of a fine recording session that took place at Lawrence University. "What Survives" was recorded on location by Hollywood Sound Systems, Hollywood CA, Jeremy Satchell, engineer. Additional recording by Lawrence University, Larry Darling, engineer. Mastering by Tom Washatka. Produced in association with ArtsForge.
The follow up to "What Survives" is Rain Bather, a reworking of many of these tracks adding B3 organ, clarinet, fiddle and electric keys. Several new tracks will appear, in the jazz-funk-fusion vein. Click here to listen to preview tracks of Rain Bather on ReverbNation Tobin Mueller • B3 organ, composer Chris Mueller • piano, arrangements Jeff Cox • acoustic bass Chuck Ledvina • acoustic bass Dane Richeson • drums & percussion Woody Mankowski • saxophones, vocals Doug Schneider • tenor saxophone, piano Tom Washatka • tenor saxophone Josh VandeHey • tenor saxophone Ken Schaphorst • flugelhorn Bob Levy • trumpet Tyler Jones • trumpet Immideiately following, I'll start work on the Organ Donor Project, an open-ended excuse to play more B3 with friends. |
|||
| Audiocracy / Progressive Rock... | ||||
![]() |
See: Audiocracy: Revolution's Son for latest band info.
![]() Ever since I first listened to Yes, I have been enthralled with progressive rock. My association with The Lost Records inspired me to put a group together. Using the Internet, I've ararnged to collabroate with players from around the world. We are putting tracks together piece by piece, a whole different way to record, but it's been very rewarding: the music is great. All the song for the first album have been written. Finishing the tracks has been a challange. You can hear some of our drafts and demos on Audiocracy's ArtsForge page or on Audiocracy's MySpace page. I've used some of the tracks (the less prgressive rock tracks) on A Bit Of Light, shaping just the more political and post-political songs for the upcoming Audiocracy release. I've already begun collaborating with Scott Carmichael and Steph Vanstiphouton Audiocracy II, but that's at least 18 months off. But it shows the enthusiasm I have for this project. • Audiocracy on ReverbNation • Audiocracy on MySpace • Audiocracy on ArtsForge |
|||
| A Bit Of Light / Alternative Rock... | ||||
![]() |
I am excited about my new relationship with The Lost Records, an independent label from upper state New York. Not only do they share my enthusiasm for progressive rock, but they love cross-genre works and collaborations. I've released A Bit Of Light, a collection of progressive folk fusion featuring a bunch of great players from The Lost Records stable, plus world renown violinist Entcho Todorov and saxophonists Danny McCaslin and Woody Mankowski.The CD comes with a digital booklet in PDF format: Download the Digital Booklet here! (click to view in browser, right-click to download to desktop) Two previous releases of mine are also in the Adult Contemporary camp: • Pilgim Village • Holy Land For more details, see Tobin Mueller's Recordings... |
|||
| Musical Theatre... | ||||
![]() |
2004: Runners In A Dream, musical drama set in the Holocaust,
(music by Tobin Mueller; book & lyrics by Tobin Mueller & Randyl Appel). 2002: What Survives, a jazz rendition of Creature themes, CD recording. 1998: Creature, an alternative Frankenstein, musical drama. 1998: Xianu Override, a computer space opera, available for Mac only (story, script by TJM). 1998: Established ArtsForge, an online community of artists, composers, and writers. 1996: Frankenstein, the Man-Made Messiah, musical drama. 1995: Robin Hood, musical drama. 1994: Freedom’s First Light, musical drama (music & lyrics by TJM, book by Ed Medina). 1993: We Are the Ones, theme song of United Nations’ Global Youth Forum & Children's Alliance for Protection of the Environment. 1990: To Save the Planet, children's musical about the environment, winner of 4 national and international awards. 1974: From the Creation, avant-garde drama performed by Odyssey Playhouse. 1973: Find the Cost, surreal drama performed by the Samuel Pickard Theater. |
|||
| Children's Music / CenterStage Productions... | ||||
![]() |
One of the highlights of my career was working with the United Nations and environmental NGOs during the late 80s and early 90s. In additon to writing an environmental play for youths that toured the world, I was able to help plan international events that empowered youths in the worldwide environmental movement. I wrote a tune adopted as their theme song: We Are The Ones.
From 1987 to 1995, before moving to New York City and concentrating on adult theatre, I wrote a series of youth educational musicals marketed by CenterStage Poductions: To Save the Planet, environmental musical. I Want to Know!, about the history of science & invention. The Sound of Money, about economics. Danger, Dinosaurs!, about the exctinction of the dinosaurs and the importance of friends. Music of the Planets, about the solar system. Mickey Spleen Saves the Day, swing-jazz anatomy musical. Say "Yes!" to Life, anti-drug, pro-self musical. Frankenspell Superstar, Tale of a Man-Made Messiah, based on Frankenstein. Robin Hood and the Free People of the Forest, musical drama about freedom and revolution. Celebrate Earth, CenterStage "Best Of" Compilation CD. *All music, lyrics, text by Tobin Mueller. |
|||
|
| Online Music MP3s... | ||||
![]() |
• Streaming Music Player • Artsforge.com • MacJams.com • Audiocracy on MySpace • Audiocracy on ArtsForge • Spoken Word Poetry |