The jazz duo of Tobin Mueller and Woody Mankowski have produced an astounding catalogue of great music over the past decade. This recording is perhaps their prettiest. From the award-winning album “Rain Bather” (2009 Midwest Jazz Album of the Year), this tune is performed by an unusual piano, organ, soprano saxophone trio. Mankowski’s sax presents the beautiful melody with lighter-than-air grace, floating above the organ’s counter melody. But what makes this track soar is the fabulous piano solo midway through. Mankowski’s soprano sax then lifts the piece to new heights with a moving ascending coda. Breathtaking.
“River Runs Through It” was written by Mueller for his 1995 Broadway musical “Creature” based on the Frankenstein story. Much of the “Rain Bather” album consists of jazz arrangements of tunes from that seminal show. But what sets Mueller’s arrangements apart is his ability to move from different jazz styles with such ease, tying them all together with a coherent vision. Almost every tune has an unexpected climactic moment that appears absolutely spontaneous, yet upon reflection, was carefully set up. This arranged style is reminiscent of Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, where the composer is in control but never in the way, bringing out the best in his players with a certain, unifying goal.
Mueller-Mankowski have collaborated on four albums: Rain Bather (2009), The Muller’s Wheel (2012), Come In Funky (2014) featuring Ron Carter, and most recently the critically acclaimed 2-volume collection Standard Deviations (2018). The first three consist of all original material; the last are contemporary arrangements of the great standards of jazz and, perhaps, standards out as the best of these. Check them all out, however. Hours of listening enjoyment and surprise.
“An amazing jazz amalgam… that captures Mueller’s genius ability to dance in and out of motifs and themes… expansive, beautiful and awesome…”
– John LaMantia, contributing critic for Downbeat Magazine
“Consistently intriguing and colorful, spirited and unpredictable. Mueller’s vivid imagination … is well worth exploring.”
– Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian
For more Tobin Mueller
Website: tobinmueller.com
Facebook: @tmueller.music
Twitter: @tobinmueller
Instagram: @tobinmuellerjazz
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