Wolfgang Muthspiel, an Austrian jazz guitarist and record label owner, was born in Judenburg in 1965. He began playing the violin at the age of six but switched to classical guitar at fourteen. He studied at Berklee College of Music on a scholarship and launched his career in 1985 with three albums recorded with his brother Christian. His first solo album, "Timezones," was released in 1989. For two years, he toured with Gary Burton and guitarist Mick Goodrick, one of his teachers at Berklee. In the 1990s, Muthspiel lived in New York City and released further solo albums. His backing musicians included Don Alias, Larry Grenadier, Tom Harrell, and Kenny Wollesen. He also appeared as a guest musician on recordings by Patricia Barber, Marc Johnson, Paul Motian, and Gary Peacock. In 1997, he was named Austrian Jazz Musician of the Year. In 2000, he founded his own label, Material Records, and recorded again with his brother Christian and with Norwegian singer Rebekka Bakken. He formed the MGT Trio with Slava Grigoryan and Ralph Towner, as well as other trios with Larry Grenadier and Brian Blade, and with Brad Mehldau and Ambrose Akinmusire. A classically trained musician, he approaches the acoustic guitar with the same ease as improvisation and jazz. His extensive discography comprises 30 CDs, primarily featuring his own compositions.
