“Showstopper”
Led by U.S. Jazz Ambassador and sousaphone front man Bill Muter, the Topless in Tokyo band melds together hip hop, funk and the traditional New Orleans brass band power all under one infectious groove. Bill is a multi-instrumentalist, best-selling author, composer, clinician and probably most well known for his work on the tuba. Having performed in venues across the globe, Bill is without a doubt one of the world’s leading tuba and and bass players earning him the nickname “Tuba Visionary.”
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As a performer, Bill was a tuba soloist, percussionist and keyboardist in the Tony and Emmy Award winning Broadway sensation “Blast!” with numerous tours in Japan, South Korea and North America. Bill is the Music Director for Drew Tucker and The New Standard and has also shared the stage with Sarah Reich and her Tap Music Project, The James Francies Trio, Matthew Whitaker, Warren Wolf, Stefon Harris, Leon Foster Thomas, Shaun Martin, MonoNeon, Robert Sput Searight, Larnell Lewis, Nate Werth, Weedie Braimah and played in horn sections with Justin Stanton, Mike ‘Maz’ Maher, Jay Jennings, Chris Bullock and more.
Bill’s love for the stage is only echoed by his passion for music education in the classroom. Bill holds the esteemed title of “Cultural Ambassador” by the U.S. Department of State and has worked with embassy’s and music organizations across the globe. Bill’s instrumental technique book “A Practical Approach” was a best-seller on Apple’s iBookstore with it’s largest audience primarily in Japan. Bill was also an Artist in Residence and Curriculum Advisor at Honeyland College in Lagos Nigeria, blending the roots of Afrobeat music and jazz. Bill is heavily involved with the marching arts activity as clinician, designer and adjudicator. Bill has worked with the Boston Crusaders, Crossmen and Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and was also the Caption Head for the WGI Gold Medalist “Stryke Wynds.”
As a composer for band and film. Bill has written, recorded or composed for works featured on BET, Okayplayer, XXL Magazine, Tribeca Film Festival and more. His solo albums have reached #1 on the iTunes Charts in South Africa and in the Top 30 Global R&B charts.
Bill has performed at the following notable festivals:
Sunfest
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival
GroundUP Music Fest
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
Jacksonville Jazz Fest After Dark
World Expo South Korea
Fuji TV Music Fair Japan
and more…