Tommy Muellner - Solitary Moon (2026) [Hi-Res]

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.