The serene ambient jazz improvisations come courtesy of Mute State aka Copenhagen-based jazz guitarist Tao Højgaard. Taking the art of jazz guitar to the frontier, Tao uses a variety of effect pedals and loop machines to build robust, droning soundscapes. Tao cites influences including jazz guitar pioneer Jim Hall, electronic musician/composer Scott Morgan, the father of Bebop Charlie Parker, as well as a wealth of film music composers.
Tao Højgaard´s origins as a jazz guitarist come from influence and involvement with Copenhagen´s jazz scene in the 90´s. Tao soon began to play with Scandinavia´s foremost jazz musicians, and became rapidly renowned for his lyrical jazz improvisations and complex harmonics.
In addition to his electronic jazz frontier duties, Tao does master classes and workshops on musical improvisation and music production. Tao also scores for films and television shows.