Wolfgang Muthspiel

Wolfgang Muthspiel live at INNtöne Jazzfestival 2006
(photo by Thomas Radlwimmer)

Wolfgang Muthspiel (born 2 March 1965 in Judenburg, Styria) is an Austrian jazz guitarist and composer. He is the brother of the trombonist and pianist Christian Muthspiel.

He started playing the violin at six and began study of the guitar as a teenager. After studying classical and jazz guitar in Graz, he completed his studies at the New England Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music. His high reputation, even in young years, made him the replacement of Pat Metheny in Gary Burton's band.

In subsequent years Muthspiel played with many notable jazz musicians, including Maria Joao, Dave Liebman, Peter Erskine, Paul Motian, Bob Berg, Gary Peacock, Don Alias, Gary Burton, Larry Grenadier and John Patitucci. Later a collaboration with famous Norwegian jazz singer Rebekka Bakken followed.

In 2002 Muthspiel returned to Vienna, founding his record label Material Records, which focuses on publishing own records as well as those of young aspiring musicians.

Besides his own band, the Wolfgang Muthspiel 4tet, he is collaborating with Brian Blade in the project "Friendly Travelers" and with Ralph Towner and Slava Grigoryan in a new Guitar Trio named MGT.

In 2003 he won the European Jazz Prize.

Discography

As leader

• 1985 - Duo Due Schneetanz (with Christian Muthspiel)
• 1987 - Duo Due Focus It (with Christian Muthspiel)
• 1989 - Timezones
• 1989 - Duo Due Tre (with Christian Muthspiel)
• 1990 - The Promise
• 1993 - Muthspiel-Peacock-Muthspiel-Motian (with Christian Muthspiel)
• 1993 - Black and Blue
• 1993 - In and Out
• 1994 - Magic Labynrith (with Marc Johnson and Arto Tunçboyacıyan)
• 1995 - Loaded, Like New
• 1996 - Perspective
• 1998 - CY (with Christian Muthspiel)
• 1999 - Work in Progress
• 2000 - Daily Mirror (with Rebekka Bakken)
• 2001 - Real Book Stories (with Marc Johnson and Brian Blade)
• 2001 - Echoes of Techno (with Christian Muthspiel)
• 2002 - Continental Call
• 2002 - Beloved (with Rebekka Bakken)
• 2003 - That's All Daisy Needs
• 2003 - Early Music (with Christian Muthspiel)
• 2004 - Air, Love and Vitamins (with Marc Johnson and Brian Blade)
• 2004 - Solo
• 2005 - Bright Side
• 2007 - Friendly Travelers (with Brian Blade)
• 2007 - Glow (with Dhafer Youssef)
• 2008 - Friendly Travelers Live (CD and DVD)
• 2008 - Earth Mountain
• 2008 - From a Dream (with Slava Grigoryan and Ralph Towner)
• 2009 - Live at the Jazz Standard (with Mick Goodrick)
• 2012 - Vienna Naked
• 2013 - Travel Guide (with Slava Grigoryan and Ralph Towner)

As sideman

With Gary Burton

• Cool Nights (GRP, 1991)

With Patricia Barber

• Distortion of Love (Antilles, 1992)

With Paul Motian

• Reincarnation of a Love Bird (JMT, 1994)

External links

• Wolfgang Muthspiel's label