Guillaume Muller Pays Tribute to Jazz Legend with Six Pieces of Horace

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

When Guillaume Muller speaks about music, it’s not just with admiration—it’s with scholarly devotion. The French-born, New York–based jazz guitarist recently released his latest project, Six Pieces of Horace, a solo guitar record that pays homage to one of his greatest influences, Horace Silver. What began as a pandemic-era study session blossomed into a masterfully executed tribute album.

“I started by just wanting to become a better musician,” Guillaume explained. “I was stuck at home in 2021 and decided to go through Horace Silver’s discography—especially his work from the ’50s and ’60s. It wasn’t meant to become a solo guitar record at first.”

As Guillaume dove deeper into Silver’s catalog, transcribing tracks and analyzing arrangements, a vision began to form. “Eventually, I had about 20 to 30 tunes transcribed, with every instrument arranged. I started playing around with them on guitar, just for fun, but then I trimmed it down to six that really translated well as solo arrangements.”

The result is Six Pieces of Horace—an evocative six-track record that reimagines classic Horace Silver compositions through the nuanced voice of solo jazz guitar. Muller handpicked fan-favorites like “Strollin’,” “Peace,” and “Doodlin’,” as well as lesser-known gems like “Juicy Lucy” and “Let’s Get to the Nitty Gritty.” His arrangements are subtle, intricate, and filled with reverence.

“Transforming a piano-based jazz quintet composition into a solo guitar piece is no easy feat,” he noted. “You’ve got the horns, the rhythm section, and the piano working together. The challenge is blending those parts into one cohesive guitar performance—while still honoring the original spirit.”

Recording the album in a professional studio was a deliberate choice for authenticity. “I wanted it to be honest and organic,” Guillaume said. “The idea was to capture my performance on a given day with no tricks—just how I play right now.”

The project’s title and cover art are a clever nod to Horace Silver’s iconic album, Six Pieces of Silver. “That record has always meant a lot to me,” Guillaume shared. “So this was my way of saying thank you. It’s a homage in every sense.”

Guillaume’s background as a composer and improviser adds emotional depth to his playing. A Berklee College of Music graduate with a master’s from NYU, he’s been lauded for both his technical skill and expressive sensitivity. Publications like Making a Scene and Contemporary Fusion Reviews have already highlighted Muller as a rising talent to watch.

Though Six Pieces of Horace is entirely composed of arrangements, Guillaume’s original music is never far behind. His previous album, Sketches of Sound, was a mix of original compositions that showcased his melodic instincts and signature voice on the guitar. One fan-favorite track, whimsically titled “Lullaby for a Capybara,” stemmed from “a strong emotional moment” and began as a simple melody. “Melody is always the starting point,” Guillaume said. “Harmony, structure—those all follow. The emotional content comes first.”

This year, while the world listens to his Horace Silver tribute, Guillaume is already at work on his next project—an all-original quartet record. “I’ve got a collection of songs I’ve written over the years but never recorded,” he said. “Now’s the time to bring them to life.”

Six Pieces of Horace is now available on all streaming platforms—a thoughtful, deeply musical journey through Silver’s timeless works reimagined with grace, texture, and a personal touch that only a solo jazz guitarist could deliver.

🎧 Want to hear the full conversation with Guillaume Muller? Tune in to his episode on The Savoir Faire Audio Experience—streaming now.