James Muller

Australian guitarist James Muller is one of the most exciting and innovative musician on the Australian music scene today. His distinctive sound, coupled with masterful improvisation and breathtaking virtuosity, has made him one of the most respected and most significant young musicians in the country.

Born in Adelaide in 1974, James began teaching himself the guitar at age 12. Initially inspired by the rock guitar legends of the sixties & seventies, the harmonic complexities of jazz soon caught his ear. Armed with the Jim Hall records from his parents’ collection and the support of his high school music teacher, James had discovered jazz and for him there was no looking back.

By the time he burst onto the Sydney scene in 1996, at just 21 years of age, James had already recorded his first independent album “No You Don't”. He was soon playing and recording with some of the biggest names in jazz and rock including:

• James Morrison
• Vince Jones
• Katie Noonan
• Dale Barlow
• Bernie McGann
• Don Burrows
• Mike Nock
• Renee Geyer
• Jimmy Barnes
• Nigel Kennedy
• Rai Thistlethwayte (Thirsty Merc)

As well as US musicians: • John Scofield
• Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth)
• Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Jeff Beck)
• Keith Carlock (Steely Dan)
• Bill Stewart (John Scofield, Maceo Parker)
• Adam Nussbaum (Michael Brecker)
• Christian McBride (Pat Metheny)

He also has recorded three more critically acclaimed albums under his own name and made multiple tours to Europe, Asia and the US to critical acclaim. Few people have lit up the Australian music scene so brightly and so quickly. Muller is the recipient of numerous accolades including the coveted ARIA award, the highest acknowledgement in the Australian recording industry.

• Winner of the ARIA for Best Jazz Album 2000 - James Muller Trio “ALL OUT”
• Winner of the National Jazz Award,Wangaratta Jazz Festival 2000
• Dual Mo Award winner (National entertainment industry award) Best Jazz Instrumentalist and Best Jazz Group 2001
• James Muller Quartet “THRUM” nominated for Best Jazz Album ARIA Awards 2002
• “PAUL BLEY” taken from “THRUM” winner of the APRA award for Most Performed Jazz Work 2003
• Winner of the esteemed Freedman Fellowship 2004
• James Muller Trio “KABOOM” nominated for Best Jazz Album ARIA Awards 2006
• Full length interview in esteemed US magazine “Guitar Player” April 2008