Solitary Moon Tommy Muellner

• 1 While We're Young 04:04
• 2 Like Someone In Love 05:49
• 3 Sandy Samba (Ahma's Garden) 06:27
• 4 The Wind 07:53
• 5 I Remember You 06:37
• 6 Soldier In The Rain 04:31
• 7 Cuz Tune 05:30
• 8 Oceans In The Sky 05:38
• 9 Monk See, Monk Do 06:18
• 10 Make Someone Happy 04:46
• 11 Polkadots and Moonbeems 06:07
• 12 Solitary Moon 04:57
• 13 Somewhere 04:24
• 14 Diane / Danny Boy 03:31
• 15 Why Did I Choose You 02:25
• Total Runtime 01:18:57

Info zu Solitary Moon

Solitary Moon is a labor of love from veteran Chicago pianist Tommy Muellner, a deeply personal album and a portrait of a musical life well lived. Featuring an all-star Chicago quintet, the record moves fluidly between beloved standards, hidden gems, and original compositions, unified by Muellner's warm, seasoned touch and the simpatico interplay of musicians who have spent decades making music together.

"Having spent a lifetime as a jazz musician and lover of music, I just wanted to express some musical ideas in my heart," says Muellner. "This is also an acknowledgment of gratitude for the staunch support I've gotten over the years from relatives, friends, and great musicians."

Muellner calls his band "Mr. T and the dream team." "Clark Sommers is not only an amazing world-class bassist, but was invaluable in helping me with post-production, tweaking and mixing," he says. "I was lucky to get Geof Bradfield, who I knew would understand what I was trying to get and also write some really terrific horn parts for the project. Art Davis is a masterful trumpeter I've had the pleasure of playing with for probably 45 years. And what can I say about Phil 'Philly Toe' Gratteau? I've played countless gigs with him over several decades. He always plays exactly what the doctor ordered. Whether you need a sensitive, tasty drummer or someone to kick some ass, he is the cat."

"Sandy Samba" and "Cuz Tune" are lyrical sambas of contrasting character and tempo, dedicated respectively to Muellner's wife Sandy and his cousin Robert "Bobby" Borta. "Monk See, Monk Do" pays tribute to Thelonious Monk, reflecting the influence of Monk's distinctive approach on ballads like "Ask Me Now" and "Reflections."

Muellner has a knack for unearthing hidden gems by celebrated composers, songs that somehow slipped through the canon. Henry Mancini's mournful "Soldier in the Rain" is an excellent example, featuring Art Davis' beautiful flugelhorn sound and a masterful solo turn from Sommers. The title track, one of Johnny Mandel's lesser-known works, fits the same category, as does Alec Wilder's "While We're Young," which receives a lovely, bright treatment in waltz time.

As a veteran host of numerous Chicago jam sessions, Muellner is not one to shy away from warhorses like "I Remember You" and "Like Someone in Love," both of which he imbues with new life through nuanced touch and rich voicing. Another highlight is his duo with Bradfield on a thoroughly modern reharmonization of "Danny Boy." He clearly loves these tunes, embracing them as old friends and playing them with a depth that only comes from decades of familiarity.

The album closes with a solo piano reading of "Why Did I Choose You," dedicated to Bill Evans, who was a mentor to Muellner. It's a fitting coda for a record that is as much a heartfelt letter of gratitude as it is a musical statement.

Tommy Muellner, piano
Clark Sommers, bass
Geof Bradfield, tenor saxophone, flute
Art Davis, trumpet, flugelhorn
Phil Gratteau, drums

Recorded March 3rd & 5th, 2026 At Electrical Audio, Chicago, IL
Engineered by Greg Norman
Mixed & Mastered by Brian Schwab
Produced by Tommy Muellner & Clark Sommers

Tommy Muellner
is an internationally acclaimed Chicago based jazz pianist and composer. He has received kudos from aficionados and statesmen throughout the jazz world for his piano acumen and creativity. He has an uncanny understanding of harmonic movement, improvisation and musical interplay. Neil Tesser, the nationally recognized jazz critic and writer for Playboy magazine and other prestigious publications, sites Tommy as a “pianist and tunesmith of stellar magnitude.” After performing at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, Mike Drew of the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal said, “Like the late keyboard master Bill Evans, Tom finds classic gems, and creates sophisticated lyric variations.” And this from Hammond organ master Joey DeFrancesco, “Tommy swings, grooves, is soulful, and in total command of his instrument, plus I love him, he’s one of my favorites!”

As a band leader, Tommy has performed for large concert venues as well as many prestigious jazz clubs all over. Chicago is Tom’s home base where he performs at many prestigious clubs and hotels such as the Jazz Showcase, The Green Mill, Andy’s, the London House, the Ritz Carlton and the Drake Hotel to name a few. Tom plays everything from solo piano to big bands, but his preference has always been trio. “It’s a wonderful format for self-expression” he asserts. He also enjoys accompanying many great singers.

Tommy comes from a home enriched with good music. Tom’s father and brother were 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 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 more 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, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, and his close friend John Campbell. Tom also loves the brilliant playing of his dear friend, organ master Joey DeFrancesco.

Tommy’s nationally distributed CD “It’s (All) About Time”, was recorded with bassist David Marr and drummer Tim Davis. Tommy’s good friend Art Davis also plays flugelhorn and trumpet on four tracks. This CD includes reworked standards and original compositions. As a sideman Tom has been part of numerous recordings over the years. Tom was pianist and arranger on a recording for the acclaimed vocalist Arlene Bardelle with a top notch Chicago all-star band.

In addition, Tom is pianist & musical director on recordings for another terrific vocalist Sonny G. The first recording also features jazz organ great Joey DeFrancesco and top Chicago musicians. Also, Tom is on the 2009 recording “Don’t go to strangers” from the wonderful vocalist Colleen McNabb, along with Joey DeFrancesco, Steve Gadd, Buddy Montgomery, Joe Chambers, Byron Landham and other fine musicians. Tom is also pianist & musical director on the fabulous vocalist Arlene Bardelle's recording "Will you still love me tomorrow."

As a sideman, Tommy has performed with many “world class” jazz stars such as Joey DeFrancesco, Ira Sullivan, Eddie Daniels, Marvin Stamm, Bobby Ojeda, John Fedchock, Eric Schneider, Mark Colby, Richie Cole, Von Freeman, Ron Dewar, Redd Holt (of Ramsey Lewis fame), Don Osborne (of Mel Torme’ fame) and the late Barrett Deems (of Louis Armstrong fame), to name just a few. Tom also enjoys accompanying great vocalists. He performs with many great vocalists such as Spider Saloff, Arlene Bardelle, Kimberly Gordon, Hinda Hoffman, and Libby York.

Tommy Muellner continues to dazzle audiences with his unique brand of swinging lyrical jazz piano. He receives rave reviews wherever he performs. Indeed, acclaim for the talent, taste and splendid style of this consummate professional is as resonant as the rich chords and silky lines with which Tommy Muellner creates his personal musical magic.

Dieses Album enthält kein Booklet