Acclaimed jazz artists James Muller and Lyndon Gray join forces in an exciting new quartet, The Exhibits, and are set to release their highly anticipated debut self-titled album on February 28, through Wizardtone Records.

Featuring saxophonist Tom Noonan and drummer Josh Baldwin to complete the quartet, TheExhibits aim is to push the envelope of traditional jazz forms, as this new body of work showcases a fresh and diverse collection of original compositions, weaving together the mastery of Muller’s guitar with Gray’s double and electric bass in a project that explores the boundaries of jazz composition and improvisation.

The album’s repertoire spans a range of moods and textures, reflecting the unique South Australian landscape that inspired the cover art—a stark depiction of the saltbush at Wonoka along the Heysen Trail. Beneath its seemingly serene exterior lies an underlying intensity, mirrored by the music’s vibrant energy and darker, introspective corners.

Highlights from the album include the adventurous opener “Fomenting the Foaming,” characterised by complex time signatures and dynamic drum solos, alongside“Grow Up and Like Paul,” which balances sprightly melodies with Gray’s intricate bass work. Muller’s composition “Fireside Chat” brings a brooding atmosphere, while “There Are Birds” introduces an off-kilter rhythmic twist to classic bebop influences.

Listeners will also experience Noonan’s expressive saxophone in “Athelstone,” and the sinuous, genre-defying melody of “Pungent Pages.” The album closes with the fiery “Grand Exit,” a dazzling showcase of unison lines and Muller’s signature guitar brilliance.

James Muller, lauded as one of the world’s finest jazz guitarists, brings his award-winning virtuosity to the forefront of The Exhibits, while Lyndon Gray’s rich experience and compositional depth serve as a foundation for this thrilling musical journey. Together with Noonan and Baldwin, the quartet delivers a bold, cohesive sound, signalling an exciting new chapter in contemporary jazz.

The Exhibits debut album will be available on February 28.

Pre-Order – theexhibits.bandcamp.com/album/the-exhibits
Listen to the first two track’s from the album:
Fomenting The Foaming / Fireside Chat

THE EXHIBITS WILL BE LAUNCHING THE ALBUM WITH THE FOLLOWING SHOWS:

March 17: COMA at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide, SA

April 21:Monday Night Confessions @ Church StreetStudios, Camperdown, Sydney NSW

Tuesday April 22: The Jazzlab, Melbourne, VIC