Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra
Saturday • 6 - 7:30 p.m. Groovin’ Stage
Ottmar Liebert’s global success can be attributed to a myriad of things—his creative vision, his determination, and a strong sense of melody. Born in
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Cologne, Germany, he began playing guitar at 11. Before the age of 19, Liebert had intended to stay in Germany and pursue a career as a designer and 2018 Jacksonville Jazz Festival
photographer. However, while journeying extensively through Asia and playing with other travelers and local musicians, he realized that he could not escape a life of music. It was this openness to the local landscape that defined what was to become his musical style, a mix of Spanish, Mexican and World elements, strong melodies tinged with a shade of melancholy, balanced with upbeat rhythms. Liebert founded the first incarnation of his band, Luna Negra, in 1989. His debut album began as a self-produced release called Marita: Shadows and Storms, copies of which local Native American artist, Frank Howell, distributed in his art galleries. After the record made its way to radio stations, it began generating a buzz among programmers and received unprecedented response among listeners. Higher Octave Music picked it up and released a fully remastered version, Nouveau Flamenco. Recorded for less than $3,000 on an old analog machine in a shack beside a gravel pit, this CD became an international sensation, establishing Liebert’s unique border-style flamenco, and becoming the best-selling instrumental acoustic guitar album of all time.
