Tommy Muellner was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father John F. Muellner (born 1923 in Chicago) was Tommy"s first musical influence. In his father"s heyday, he played accordion in a dance band.
Tommy grew up hearing many great jazz records, but the whole family especially loved the unique jazz piano artistry of Erroll Garner.
On occasion he plays organ for senior citizen functions and enjoys playing on his Hammond at home. Tommy comes from a home enriched with good music With a variety of musical instruments to choose, he started playing some gigs at an early age.
Although he has played drums, guitar, bass and organ, Tommy"s natural preference was always the piano.
In his early twenties, Tom discovered Bill Evans "by osmosis," and considers his influence on jazz to be significant. After that important discovery, he Muellner "realized when I finally heard the music, that jazz is more than music
lieutenant is great art, and a philosophy with spiritual ramifications." In later years, Tommy"s musical influences were gleaned from the likes of Evans, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Dexter Gordon. He learned mostly from the great classic jazz recordings.
He also learned a great deal from playing with master musicians like Ira Sullivan, as well as other lesser known musicians he worked with at a younger age.
Muellner has become a respected local jazz pianist and composer. He teaches jazz theory and harmony privately on a limited basis. His style includes a focus on harmonic movement, improvisation and musical interplay.
He freelances with many top musicians and often plays piano for private occasions.
Jazz critic and writer Neil Tesser cites that Tommy is a "pianist and tunesmith of stellar magnitude." Hammond organ jazz master Joey DeFrancesco stated, "Tommy swings, grooves, is soulful, and in total command of his instrument, plus I love him, he"s one of my favorites!" Tommy has worked with many jazz musicians, including Ira Sullivan, Eddie Daniels, Marvin Stamm, Bobby Ojeda, John Fedchock, Warren Kime, Mark Colby, Richie Cole, Von Freeman, Ron Dewar, Michael South. Smith, Isaac Redd Holt (of the Ramsey Lewis Trio), Donny Osborne and Barrett Deems of Louis Armstrong fame. Tommy has worked with vocalists, including Arlene Bardelle, Hinda Hoffman, Spider Saloff and Catherine Whitney.
