Leo Kottke October 28, 2010

Innovative acoustic guitar virtuoso Leo Kottke was born September 11, 1945 in Athens, Georgia. Raised in 12 different states, he absorbed a variety of musical influences as a child, flirting with both violin and trombone, before abandoning Stravinsky-- "I haven't been that hip since"-- for the guitar at age 11.

Kottke's 1971 major-label debut, "Mudlark," positioned him somewhat uneasily in the singer/songwriter vein, despite his own wishes to remain an instrumental performer. Still, despite battles with label heads as well as with Bruce, Kottke flourished during his tenure on Capitol, as records like 1972's "Greenhouse" and 1973's live "My Feet Are Smiling" and "Ice Water" found him branching out with guest musicians and unusual song covers, all the while honing his propulsive finger-picking mastery.

Kottke has been awarded two Grammy nominations, a Doctorate in Music Performance by the Peck School of Music at the U of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and he continues touring globally.

For more information, visit www.leokottke.com

Official Website: http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/jazzclub/artist/show/1492