Leo Kottke

Leo Kottke is a legendary acoustic guitar virtuoso who has developed a cult following of fellow guitarists and fans over the span of a 30-year career of recording and performing. Blending folk, jazz, and blues influences into a signature finger-picked style of syncopated, polyphonic music, Kottke pre-dated and predicted much of the New Age instrumental music movement while never being confined within a genre. Kottke has overcome a series of personal obstacles including partial deafness and a nearly career-ending bout with tendon damage to emerge as the widely-recognized master of his instrument.

On record, Kottke's work has ranged in style from offbeat singer-songwriter tunes to far-reaching instrumental suites. Focusing primarily on instrumental composition and playing, Kottke has sporadically moved in a vocal direction, singing in an unconventional yet expressive baritone famously self-described as sounding like "geese farts on a muggy day". In concert, Kottke intersperses humorous and often bizarre monologues with vocal and instrumental selections from througouht his career, played solo on his signature 6-and 12 string guitars.