When he was six, he began playing violin, and at fourteen he moved on to classical guitar. He went to theBerklee College of Music on a scholarship. Beginning in 1985, he recorded three albums with his brother Christian. He released his first solo album,Timezones, in 1989. For two years, he toured withGary Burton and guitaristMick Goodrick, one of his teachers at Berklee.[1]
During the 1990s, Muthspiel lived in New York City and recorded more solo albums. His sidemen includedDon Alias,Larry Grenadier,Tom Harrell, andKenny Wollesen. He appeared as a guest on albums byPatricia Barber,Marc Johnson,Paul Motian, andGary Peacock. He was the given the award for Austrian Jazz Musician of the Year in 1997. He founded his own label, Material Records, in 2000, and recorded again with his brother Christian and with Norwegian singerRebekka Bakken.[1]
He has composed for the Austrian Esterházy Foundation, the Austrian Ministry of Arts, Benjamin Schmid, theHugo Wolf Quartet, and theKlangforum Wien.[1]
