Robert Muller is a jazz pianist. Originally from Portland, Oregon, he studied with Dr. Andrew Hill at PSU and moved to New York City in the early '90s where he was active in the downtown scene and as a sideman in several original bands including underground hip hop artist Pete Miser. He moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2004 where he co-lead the award-winning modern jazz group Kodama Trio, was a professor at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design, and appears with regional greats like Alex Murzyn, Pete Acosta Amahl, and Michael Herndon. He's appeared on several albums produced by Grammy-winning guitarist Larry Mitchell, and performed with artists including Nathan East, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, and Steve Morse. Since 2006, he and has recorded and performed around the country with Joy Harjo, who was appointed US Poet Laureate in 2019. He's also a member of Hi Happy, a modern jazz piano trio featuring drummer Jonathan Rodriguez, and they are in the process of completing a new album and bookings for 2020.
Awards
2016 New Mexico Music Awards, Best Jazz Album (Kodama Trio)
2016 New Mexico Music Awards, Best Jazz Song (Milespost 22 - Kodama Trio)
“Despite the obviously cooperative nature of the trio, Muller’s piano dominates throughout. A
percussive, muscular player in the mold of McCoy Tyner, he’s a remarkable soloist with a wealth of
rhythmic and melodic ideas and a yen for dark and gnarly harmonies.”
Kodama Trio CD Review (Allaboutjazz.com)
“Muller brings a spritely, spiky energy that contrasts nicely with the mellower qualities of tuba and
’bone. His adventurous, muscular solos incorporate elements from bebop to funk, with touches of
hip-hop attitude. “
Christian Pincock CD Review (Melminter.com)
“Muller is like a vampire in that if you invite him in he’ll always just kind of be around. Also, he’s a
pretty amazing pianist, so… “
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“Despite the obviously cooperative nature of the trio, Muller’s piano dominates throughout. A
percussive, muscular player in the mold of McCoy Tyner, he’s a remarkable soloist with a wealth of
rhythmic and melodic ideas and a yen for dark and gnarly harmonies.”
Kodama Trio CD Review (Allaboutjazz.com)
“Muller brings a spritely, spiky energy that contrasts nicely with the mellower qualities of tuba and
’bone. His adventurous, muscular solos incorporate elements from bebop to funk, with touches of
hip-hop attitude. “
Christian Pincock CD Review (Melminter.com)
“Muller is like a vampire in that if you invite him in he’ll always just kind of be around. Also, he’s a
pretty amazing pianist, so… “
Pranzo (Santa Fe Reporter)
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Primary Instrument
Piano
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
I've taught private students for over 20 years. I'm currently a jazz piano
instructor at Santa Fe University of Art and Design, but I still teach a small
number of private students from my home and in my studio at SFUAD.
