BWW Preview: Pete Muller Changes the World with TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE

Let's play a game. It's a globally conscious social-media game called "Two Truths and a Lie," and it earns money for charity with one click of Facebook's Share button. Here we go:

1) If I were a man, I'd be a drag queen.

2) If I were a dog, I'd be a German Shorthair Pointer.

3) If I were taller, I'd stop wearing 4-inch heels.

Two of these statements are true, and one is a gross misrepresentation of my character. Can you guess which is false? It's not #1--in the Orlando-esque fantasy where I swap genders, my first order of business would be to develop a drag persona. It's not #2--the German Pointer is a breed athletic, neurotic, and easily startled by birds, which is a fairly accurate description of my personality. The lie is #3: I'll never stop wearing inappropriately tall heels, even if I miraculously grow six inches overnight. Like; share; tag: you just made 10$ for Charity:Water, an international organization that builds wells throughout the developing world to provide communities with safe, immediate access one of life's basic necessities: clean, potable water.

(Check out Charity:Water here: www.charitywater.org)

This philanthropic campaign is the work of local jazz pianist Pete Muller, whose album-release tour kicks off on October 22nd in Chicago. Muller and his band will visit Boston, New York City, and Oakland before concluding the tour, which raises money for a variety of charities (including Charity:Water), at SoHo in Santa Barbara. Dubbed the Two Truths and a Lie Tour, after the title of his latest album, each of Muller's shows benefits a charitable or educational organization local to the venue's city: A Leg to Stand On in Chicago supplies disabled children in the developing world with prosthetic limbs; City Music Network (through the Berklee College of Music in Boston) offers opportunities for musical education to children in underprivileged communities; The Robin Hood Foundation in New York City fights urban poverty; and Room to Read in Oakland provides literacy and girls' education programs in low-income countries. Here in Santa Barbara, ticket sales from the SoHo show benefit Moxi: the Wolf Institute of Exploration and Discovery.

The quintessential California surfer persona is only one aspect of Pete Muller's identity, and certainly isn't utterly indicative of the pianist and humanitarian's entire story. After a teen romance with improvisation and jazz, Muller spent a number of years working in high finance in New York City, only tinkering casually with the piano in his apartment. He found career success, but still sought total satisfaction until an evening of enjoying impromptu composition on a hotel piano in Kauai re-awakened his love for playing jazz. Muller decided to make his musical career a priority, and now splits his time between the two coasts. He maintains his role as CEO of his own financial company in New York, and uses his growing music platform to give back to the community with benefit concerts and donation drives like the "Two Truths and a Lie" social media campaign for Charity:Water. Muller is also committed to donating 100% of the money made on album sales to this organization.

Muller's philanthropy tour is an exciting example of the varied and sophisticated arts scene here in Santa Barbara. His latest album, Two Truths and a Lie, features original material as well as innovative covers. While he typically plays with a trio, Muller's band will be expanded to a seven-piece ensemble for the Santa Barbara show at SoHo. Dulcet melodies and an uplifting lyrical viewpoint create an understated and appealing musical experience that benefits important altruistic causes. Come to SoHo on Wednesday, November 4th and enjoy Two Truths and a Lie with Pete Muller!

Check out the New music Video for "Muse" here.

Purchase the Album, Two Truths and a Lie, on iTunes--Proceeds benefit Charity:Water.

Tour Information:

Oct 22 - Chicago, IL 6pm at City Winery
Benefit Concert for A Leg To Stand On (ALTSO) // Donate // Buy Tickets

Oct 23 - Boston, MA 6:30pm doors / 7:15pm show at David Friend Recital Hall (Berklee College of Music)
Benefit Concert for Berklee College of Music's City Music Network // Buy Tickets

Oct 28 - New York, NY 6pm doors / 7:15 show at City Winery
Benefit Concert for the Robin Hood Foundation // Buy Tickets

Nov 2 - Oakland, CA 6:30pm doors / 8:00pm show at Duende
Benefit Concert for RoomtoRead // Tickets & Donate

Nov 4 - Santa Barbara, CA 6:30pm doors / 7:15pm show at Soho Restaurant & Music Club
Benefit for Santa Barbara's new Museum of Exploration & Innovation // Tickets & Donate