The Chicago Jazz Store
Tom Muellner - It's All About the Time
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Musicians: Tommy Muellner - piano
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Visit Tom Muellner's Website on ChicagoJazz.com
Description:
Tom's 1998 recording.
"Tommy as a pianist and tunesmith of stellar magnitude." - Neil Tesser
"Tommy swings, grooves, is soulful, and in totoal command of his instrument, plus I love him, he's one of my favorites!" - Joey DeFrancesco
About:
Tommy comes from a home enriched with good music. Tom's father and brother are also professional musicians. Tom started playing gigs when he was quite young. Although he has played drums, guitar, bass and organ, Tom's natural preference was always the piano. He grew up hearing many great jazz recordings, but related to the unique jazz piano artistry of Erroll Garner and his swinging happy piano. Tom is forever indebted to Erroll for inspiring him to focus on jazz piano at an early age.
Tom came to an important milestone in his early twenties by discovering the genius of the late jazz piano master Bill Evans. I think I was drawn to Bill by osmosis, Tommy reflects, surmising that Evans has forever changed the way jazz piano is played. That important discovery led him to deeper possibilities in music. When I truly heard the music, I realized that jazz was larger than music. It's great art, and a philosophy with spiritual ramifications, he says. In addition Tommy hails Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane as monumental influences. His favorite pianists include Art Tatum, Hank Jones, Bud Powell, Tommy Flanagan, Barry Harris, Wynton Kelly, McCoy Tyner, Monty Alexander, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Steve Kuhn, Denny Zeitlin, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, and his close friend John Campbell. Tom also loves the brilliant playing of his dear friend, organ master Joey DeFrancesco.