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Quotes and Reviews....
"As melodic and lovely as the ballads [in Piercing the Heart], these [hymns from Prone to Wander] are superbly re-worked and arranged by this jazz pianist. Both of these CDs have a calming effect, good for meditative musical background or for serious listening." -- Jeanette Housner, January 2002, Victory Review: Acoustic Music Review Magazine)
I like these cuts [in Piercing the Heart], because they are so familiar and Mutchler plays them with verve, but with enough restful space to make them the perfect accompaniment to any activity, or just for relaxing and listening. It's like the white space around a well typeset poem, giving enough time for each note to resonate, before the next one replaces it. I think if you're looking for pure and simply interpreted tunes this would be an enjoyable listen. -- Wendy R. Ross, in JazzReview.com
Mutchler's playing style [in Piercing the Heart] is not what I expected at all. It is low-key, uncluttered, and distinctive in its thoughtful, soulful manner...... the improvisations and interpretations sound fresh and new, making this a most enjoyable CD to listen to and savor many times, finding something new each time.....It is a real pleasure to hear a pianist with the experience and confidence to let the music sing without needing to see how many runs up and down the entire piano he or she can get into every song. These arrangements are subtle and subdued, keeping an easy-going, reflective mood throughout...."Prone to Wander" is a fascinating solo piano collection of hymns that are given a jazz and improvisational treatment. Before listening to the CD, I assumed it would be full of toe-tapping gospel rhythms, but these interpretations are of a more contemporary, smooth-jazz style...."Amazing Grace" is given almost minimalist treatment and then expands into a wonderful, easy-going improvisation that meanders in and out of the melody line. It's difficult to come up with an original interpretation of a piece that is heard so often and that has been interpreted by so many varied artists, but Mutchler has succeeded well! ....All of the arrangements are low-key enough to be an unobtrusive backdrop for a meeting or quiet time, but do yourself a favor and let the music be the focal point. These wonderful arrangements deserve the listener's full attention, to be savored and enjoyed again and again. -- Kathy Parsons, Solo Piano Publications
Prone to Wander is an original and creative blend of solo piano work that probes the melodic and harmonic depths of some of some of the great hymns. It's almost 73 minutes of inspirational gems performed solo by this outstanding pianist. There's a depth of maturity and emotion here rarely found in today's newer pianists. Mr. Mutchler has woven his talents as a classically trained but jazz-experienced pianist into something very new and special. His renditions of hymns will appeal to the jazz and New Age listener, stretching each a bit! -- from Amazon.com
Piercing the Heart is rich in those favorite and familiar melodies. Out of his 25 years of professional experience as a jazz pianist Jon has selected some of those most requested ballads and offered his own artistic and energetic interpretations on the piano. He has taken the "standards" and recorded many of them in ways other than "standard." This is music that's not only a pleasure to listen to but also music that should be thought about deeply at times. -- from Amazon.com
"a terrifically talented pianist"--David Pogue (author of Classical Music for Dummies, Opera for Dummies, Macs for Dummies)
"good...strong, beautiful use of melody"--Steve Allen (jazz pianist, comedian, entertainer, former host, The Tonight Show)
"very beautiful, very inspirational...I play the love songs all the time"--JoAnne Marez (reporter, the Bremerton Sun)
"impressive musical offerings...something very special"--Ford Hill, Professor Emeritus, WWU College of Fine and Performing Arts
"a superb performance"--Dick King of Dick King and the Classic Swing Band
"...delicate...glid(ing) effortlessly into...powerful, rich chords...performed with great care and feeling..." --Linda Nathan, CD Review in Northwest Events