Tommy Muellner

Tommy Muellner
Background information
Birth name Thomas Michael Muellner
Born (1953-01-25) January 25, 1953
Origin Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Piano
Associated acts Arelene Bardelle, Catherine Whitney, Ira Sullivan
Website tommujazz.com

Thomas Michael "Tommy" Muellner (born January 25, 1953) is an American jazz pianist and composer.

Early life and family

Tommy Muellner was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father John F. Muellner (born 1923 in Chicago) was Tommy's first musical influence. In his father's heyday, he played accordion in a dance band. On occasion he plays organ for senior citizen functions and enjoys playing on his Hammond at home.

Tommy comes from a home enriched with good music. With a variety of musical instruments to choose, he started playing some gigs at an early age. Although he has played drums, guitar, bass and organ, Tommy's natural preference was always the piano. Tommy grew up hearing many great jazz records, but the whole family especially loved the unique jazz piano artistry of Erroll Garner. In his early twenties, Tom discovered Bill Evans "by osmosis," and considers his influence on jazz to be significant. After that important discovery, he Muellner "realized when I finally heard the music, that jazz is more than music. It is great art, and a philosophy with spiritual ramifications."

In later years, Tommy's musical influences were gleaned from the likes of Evans, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Dexter Gordon. He learned mostly from the great classic jazz recordings. He also learned a great deal from playing with master musicians like Ira Sullivan, as well as other lesser known musicians he worked with at a younger age. His favorite pianists include Art Tatum, Hank Jones, Bud Powell, Barry Harris, McCoy Tyner, Monty Alexander, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Steve Kuhn, Denny Zeitlin, Fred Hersch and his close friend John Campbell.

Career

Muellner has become a respected local jazz pianist and composer.[1] He teaches jazz theory and harmony privately on a limited basis. His style includes a focus on harmonic movement, improvisation and musical interplay. He freelances with many top musicians and often plays piano for private occasions.

Jazz critic and writer Neil Tesser[2] cites that Tommy is a "pianist and tunesmith of stellar magnitude." Hammond organ jazz master Joey DeFrancesco stated, "Tommy swings, grooves, is soulful, and in total command of his instrument, plus I love him, he's one of my favorites!"

Tommy has worked with many jazz musicians, including Ira Sullivan, Eddie Daniels, Marvin Stamm, Bobby Ojeda, John Fedchock, Warren Kime, Mark Colby, Richie Cole, Von Freeman, Ron Dewar, Michael S. Smith, Isaac Redd Holt (of the Ramsey Lewis Trio), Donny Osborne and Barrett Deems of Louis Armstrong fame. Tommy has worked with vocalists, including Arlene Bardelle, Hinda Hoffman, Spider Saloff and Catherine Whitney.

Selected recordings

Notes

  1. ↑ Chicago Magazine, January 2008. "His name may not ring a bell among casual listeners, but those who value honest musical expression or a well-thought-out improvisation will find much to recommend in this solo recital by an unjustly under-the-radar local piano talent."
  2. ↑ Neil Tesser at All About Jazz
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