“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.” – Fanfare Magazine Pianist-composer Tobin Mueller has teamed up with heralded saxophonist Tomás Martinez and others to create a fresh sound as presented in Mueller’s Blue Side (Vol. 1), which will be released April 21, 2026. The recordings were mixed and mastered at Factory Underground Studio, produced by Kenny Cash, as well as Mueller himself. The warmth and context of each piece brings to mind the great studios of the past. They put Mueller in the room with the performers, surrounded by a widely mic’d piano and the fullness of Martinez’s saxophone. A truly masterful set, worthy of multiple listens.

Blue Side Vol. 1 runs the jazz gauntlet, from contemporary jazz, blues, bee-bop, post-bop, with a little chill thrown in. Most are intimate duets, scaled down arrangements (which is a departure for from Mueller’s recent albums). The tunes demonstrate the breadth of Mueller’s writing. He has recorded with Grammy winners Dave Brubeck, Ron Carter, Michael Hedges, Donny McCaslin, Jon Anderson (from Yes), Brian Welch (“Head” from Korn), Bob Lanzetti (Snarky Puppy), Carl Fischer, Sal Giorgianni, Roy Agee, as well as Grammy nominees Dane Richeson (Blue Note Records), Ken Schaphorst (Jazz Composers Alliance), Janet Planet, Noah Hoffeld (Brad Mehldau) and more.

Tobin Mueller has collaborated with Grammy winner and Blues Hall of Fame guitarist Paul Nelson on two albums (Prestidigitation and Standard Deviations). Contributions on Mueller’s recordings from famous drummers include Scott Rockenfield (Queensrÿche), Ruben de Ruiter (Amsterdam Funk Orchestra, John Patitucci Band), Lamar Moore (Lettuce), Mike Nappi (J Geils Band). Early in his career, Mueller had the honor of playing with Maynard Ferguson. He appears on over 40 albums.
www.TobinMueller.com