St. Louis Blues (from "Standard Deviations")

Headliner track from Mueller's blockbuster jazz album "Standard Deviations" features fusion performers Paul Nelson (Grammy winning blues guitarist), Woody Mankowski (jazz saxophonist), Lamar Moore (funk/hiphop drummer), Tobin Mueller (jazz/prog keyboardist) on piano/organ, Kenny Cash (jazz/hiphop) on bass/production.

Standard Deviations" is an exploration of and an homage to the great Jazz Standards of the 20th century. 33 unique arrangements, fresh harmonic and conceptual "deviations". Some tracks combine multiple tunes, letting one melody "deviate" into another, showing how many of these celebrated tunes are related to each another.

This particular arrangement is an homage not only to W. C. Handy, but to Herbie Hancock, Dr. John and Paul Butterfield as well. The straight ahead funk shuffle played by drummer Lamar Moore gives this legendary tune a fresh feel. Blues, funk and jazz are kept in careful yet impromptu balance. Woody Mankowski's jazz saxophone interjections, my organ and piano work, and hip bass playing form the core. However, Grammy-winning Paul Nelson's electric guitar is the true centerpiece. The conversational nature of trading solos is grounded in the jazz tradition, but Paul's lead guitar transforms this multi-genre arrangement into a vintage blues piece.

By the time Bessie Smith had the opportunity to put her inimitable stamp on “St. Louis Blues” in 1925, this W. C. Handy classic was already the most popular and well-known blues song in existence. It's one of the first songs I accompanied my mother on, as a teenager.

For more details, complete liner notes, free bonus tracks: https://www.tobinmueller.com/standard/

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