Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra
Ottmar Liebert is one of the most successful instrumental performers in the world. A pioneer in the Nouveau Flamenco style, which incorporates traditional flamenco technique in a modern pop context, his success seems to stem naturally from his pan-cultural upbringing.
Born in Cologne, Germany to Chinese-German father and Hungarian mother, he began playing guitar at 11, and traveled extensively through Europe and Asia intent on fully absorbing each musical tradition he encountered. After pursuing his Rock and Roll dreams first in his native Germany and then in Boston, he abandoned the frustrations of the East coast and settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Within a matter of months he had founded the first incarnation of his new band Luna Negra. His debut release, Nouveau Flamenco, was entirely self-produced and released in 1989. Soon radio stations picked the record up generated an incredible buzz, so much so that it was picked up by Higher Octave Music and reissued in a fully mastered format. It went double platinum and became one of the best selling instrumental guitar records of all time. Within a year, Liebert found himself as an opening act for Miles Davis.
Over the last two decades Liebert has amassed an enviable list of achievements: he has released 25 albums, garnering five Grammy nominations and 38 Gold and Platinum certifications in the U.S. alone, as well as certifications in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. His acclaim worldwide is nearly unmatched.