TOBIN MUELLER: At The Piano is a collection of Tobin Mueller's best original piano pieces, remastered, including three new compositions. Each track is posted below for streaming or free download.
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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."
Although Mueller is mainly known as a jazz composer, arranger and performer (see the 5-volume Best of Tobin Mueller series), as well as a Broadway playwright, his solo work at the piano may be the more important aspect of his legacy. Mueller has expanded the language of composition and contemporary expression. His ability to synthesize different eras and styles into new creative inventions has helped advance the art of the keyboard.
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A collection of Mueller’s best original solo piano compositions, recorded up close and personal. Combines modal jazz with Romanticism and Impressionistic styles, creating a unique sound. Emotionally stirring and creatively inventive, Mueller’s dynamic virtuosity comforts as it thrills. The music washes over the listener with an uplifting flow, even as it surprises and informs."
He has recorded with Grammy winners Dave Brubeck, Ron Carter, Michael Hedges, Donny McCaslin, Jon Anderson (from Yes), Brian Welch ("Head" from Korn), Carl Fischer, Sal Giorgianni, as well as Grammy nominees Dane Richeson (Blue Note Records), Ken Schaphorst (founding member of Boston-based Jazz Composers Alliance), Scott Rockenfield (Queensrÿche), Ruben de Ruiter (Amsterdam Funk Orchestra, John Patitucci Band) and more. He has collaborated with Grammy winner and Blues Hall of Fame guitarist Paul Nelson on two albums, Prestidigitation and Standard Deviations. Early in his career, he had the honor of playing with Maynard Ferguson.
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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
As a solo pianist, Mueller utilizes differing genres in distinct, compelling ways, creating an exceptional style all his own. He effortlessly combines Modal Jazz and Post-Bop energy with Baroque, Romantic, Impressionist and contemporary classical techniques. Interpretations has many examples of this aesthetic skill. His keyboard arrangements sometimes sound more like full-blown ensemble adaptations, complete with countermelodies and dense harmonies. His key changes and shifting time signatures are performed seamlessly. The result is remarkable virtuosity. His music transcends the boundaries of genre and generation.
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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 perspective while revealing universal emotions. In a day where every pianist sounds like everyone else, it’s encouraging to hear an artist who imbibes from the masters, but can create meals with his own personal flavor. A rarity."
George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
He often describes his music as "narrative" in nature. Every composition tells a story, often a deeply complex journey. The music is smart yet emotional. Surprising yet comforting. Both elegant and authentic. Every recording needs to be listened to multiple times in order to appreciate the depth of thought and skill displayed.
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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
Mueller acknowledges the great artists he counts among his influences: Dave Brubeck, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, as well as J. S. Bach, Frederich Chopin, Claude Debussy, George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. All of these composers are represented in the upcoming collection of Tobin's best interpretaive piano recordings: Interpretations. An exploration of Mueller's best solo piano covers, this 2-volume set transforms, while paying homage to, the music of Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Hoagy Carmichael, Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, more. Coming soon.
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A virtuosic pianist with a vivid imagination. Full of superior piano playing. Highly personal music that is well worth exploring."
Scott Yarnow, Music Journal
Mueller is counted as one of the founders of New Age music, although his stylings fit more precisely into the experimental post-bop modal jazz category. He stands alongside a contemporary jazz field that includes Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, Gerald Clayton, David Lanz, Hiromi and Tigran Hamasyan.
The majority of these recordings were performed at Factory Underground Studio and produced by Kenny Cash. Some were recorded in Tobin's home studio. Several different pianos were used in differing acoustic settings over 4 decades. Album cover photo was taken by John Shyloski at Factory Underground Studio.
He often describes his music as "narrative" in nature. Every composition tells a story, often a deeply complex journey. The music is smart yet emotional. Surprising yet comforting. Both elegant and authentic. Every recording needs to be listened to multiple times in order to appreciate the depth of thought and skill displayed.
Surely playing solo is the most challenging aspect for an artist. There is nothing to hide behind, no one to musically support your ideas or to fill the empty spaces. The spotlight is on you, your talent, and your instrument. Clearly, Tobin Mueller can fill all the emptiness with his own brilliance and creativity.
I am captivated and keep turning the tunes, like pages, listening for the unexpected, the excitement, the beauty that Mueller produces as a solo artist. Two-fisted energy and grit. Blossoms blowing in the wind. This album brings my ears great reward. Pure bliss."
New England Suite, second movement • Fanfare Magazine 2015 Noteable Recording - "Stunning. Mueller's ability to blend classical and jazz styles seamlessly is truly remarkable. Evokes powerful emotions and transports listeners to another realm."
• YouTube Music Video
a solo piano edit from the longer piece Every Night a World, Every Morning a Circus, inspired by John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" and the music of Oscar Peterson
• YouTube Music Video
originally titled Selene, Eye of the Night, inspired by the myth of the moon goddess Selene who sees our dreams and nurtures them, with Celtic influences
• YouTube Music Video
There is nothing more exposed than an artist playing solo. Anyone who is brave enough to do so sheds all pretense and camouflage. Tobin Mueller is not only brave, but he is also talented and prepared to mesmerize us with his singular gift on the 88-keys. Mueller has been playing piano for decades and both his technique and creativity are mirrored in the original songs he has composed on At The Piano. Demanding, unpredictable, brilliantly played, bright and boisterous, gorgeous and grand. He saturates this listener’s ears with melodies, moods, and various tempo changes that keep this reviewer interested and attentive.
You might say that Mueller’s piano playing is a combination of classical training, modern contemporary music, and his ability to reach deeply inside himself to capture the beautiful creativity that lives there. This is more than background music. This is art!"
An excellent album! Twelve piano solos include remastered favorites from seven of Tobin's albums plus two that haven't been previously released. Sound quality is beautiful! Compositions ranged from playful and jazzy to powerful, dramatic, inspired. Many are graceful and melodic. All are thoughtful and inspiring. A musical adventure well-worth taking!
In addition to the recordings, Tobin has created music videos that offer more meaning and understanding of the music, from illustrating some of the myths he composed music about to visual interpretations of the music. The videos are well-worth the time to explore, as well."
previously unreleased medley combining elements of Chaos of the Subconscious and I Sail On from 13 Masks, originally composed for Mueller's never-completed musical "Merlyn"; inspired by the music of Dmitri Shostakovich and Maurice Ravel as well as Keith Emerson
• YouTube Music Video
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'Prelude to Emancipation' is a free-flowing cascade of ornate musicality, a tune that is exploratory rather than untethered, as 'stream-of-consciousness' might imply. 'Morning Whispers' embodies the calmness and near-silence that comes with the pre-dawn and the gentle hum of the world awakening. 'Sea Storm' is complex and changeable, reflecting the squalling rains and surging seas of the title as he turns his keyboard into an array of confusion and energy. In all, Mueller blends forethought with freedom and gives us music made at the moment that inspiration strikes but always kept in check by his astute sonic sense of direction."
inspired by William Faulkner's short story "Beyond"
• Mainly Piano Favorites: 2017
• YouTube Music Video
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The depth and breadth of these compositions are breathtaking. His virtuosity at the piano is front and center, yet the innovative aspects of his compositions dominates the album. Every note fascinates and satisfies. Playful yet profound, both emotional and intellectual. Balances improvisational stream-of-consciousness with balanced structure. A truly unique musical collection."