Oteil Burbridge facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Oteil Burbridge
Burbridge performing with the Allman Brothers Band in 2007
Background information
Born	(1964-08-24) August 24, 1964 (age 61) Washington, D.C., United States
Died	Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day
Genres	Rock, jazz, blues, classical, funk, jam, psychedelia, southern rock
Instruments	Bass guitar drums banjo bass clarinet piano
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Epic, Sanctuary

Oteil Burbridge (born August 24, 1964) is an amazing American musician. He plays many instruments, but he's best known for his incredible skills on the bass guitar. Oteil learned to play jazz and classical music from a young age. He became famous playing bass with the Allman Brothers Band from 1997 to 2014. He is also a founding member of the popular band Dead & Company.

Oteil was also a founding member of The Aquarium Rescue Unit and Tedeschi Trucks Band. His brother, Kofi Burbridge, was the keyboardist and flautist in the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Oteil has worked with many other famous musicians. These include Bruce Hampton, Trey Anastasio, Page McConnell, Bill Kreutzmann, and Derek Trucks. Oteil is known for his unique ability to sing along with his bass solos. He is ranked 64th on Bass Player magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time."

Oteil's Musical Journey

Early Life and Music Training

Oteil Burbridge was born and grew up in Washington, D.C.. His family had some Egyptian heritage. His name, Oteil, means "explorer" or "wanderer." When Oteil and his older brother Kofi showed musical talent, their mother encouraged them. She enrolled them in classical and jazz music classes. This helped them develop their musical skills. Kofi remembers Oteil's first drum set was a Quaker Oatmeal box when he was only three or four years old.

Both brothers learned to play many instruments. They became multi-instrumentalists, meaning they could play several instruments well. Both were taught to play the piano. Oteil became good at the bass clarinet, violin, and trumpet. However, the bass guitar and drums became his favorite instruments. Kofi loved the flute and keyboards. Oteil was also interested in theater. He co-hosted a children's TV show called "Stuff." He graduated from the Sidwell Friends School in 1982.

As a teenager, Oteil played regularly in different bands in Washington, D.C. He gained experience playing R&B, rock, Brazilian music, and jazz. He later moved to Virginia Beach and played in cover bands. After that, he joined the Atlanta music scene. There, he played with various musicians and learned many other music styles.

Joining the Aquarium Rescue Unit

Oteil was one of the first members of Bruce Hampton's unique band, the Aquarium Rescue Unit. This band introduced him to the "jam band" scene in the southeastern United States. Musicians from bands like Phish, Phil Lesh and Friends, and Blues Traveler would often play together.

When Bruce Hampton left the band, the Aquarium Rescue Unit slowly broke up. However, Oteil had become well-known for playing four-, five-, and even six-string bass guitars. He enjoyed playing with Atlanta musicians who focused on less commercial music. The original band members included Bruce Hampton, Oteil Burbridge, Jimmy Herring, Jeff Sipe, Matt Mundy, and Count M'Butu.

Even though the band wasn't a huge commercial success, they were very influential. Their music mixed bluegrass, rock, Latin, blues, jazz, and funk. Their amazing musical skills inspired many other bands.

Working with Other Bands

Playing with Dead & Company

In 2015, Oteil Burbridge joined Dead & Company to play bass and drums. This band includes Oteil, Bob Weir, John Mayer, Mickey Hart, Jay Lane, and Jeff Chimenti. Their first show was on October 29, 2015, in Albany, New York. They have toured many times since then. They toured in the fall of 2015, and the summers of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. They also played special shows in Mexico called "Playing in the Sand." Oteil also played with the band during their shows at The Sphere in 2024 and 2025.

Forming Les Brers

In 2015, Oteil also became a founding member of Les Brers. This band was led by Butch Trucks, a drummer from the Allman Brothers Band. Other members included former Allman Brothers bandmates Jaimoe, Marc Quiñones, and Jack Pearson. They were joined by Pat Bergeson, Bruce Katz, and Lamar Williams Jr.

The Allman Brothers Band Years

Burbridge performing with the Allman Brothers band in 2009

Oteil Burbridge was a full-time member of The Allman Brothers Band from 1997 until they stopped touring in 2014. He toured and recorded with them for 17 years. In February 2012, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with the band. Oteil played on several of their albums, including Peakin' at the Beacon (2000) and Hittin' the Note (2003). He was nominated for two Grammy Awards as a band member in 2003 and 2004. Sometimes, he would sing lead vocals with the band.

Tedeschi Trucks Band Experience

In 2010, Oteil joined his brother Kofi and Allman Brothers bandmate Derek Trucks in a new group called Tedeschi Trucks Band. This large band had eleven members. It combined musicians from The Derek Trucks Band and Susan Tedeschi's band. The Tedeschi Trucks Band performed at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2010. One of Oteil's songs, "Love Has Something Else to Say," is on the DVD from that show.

The Tedeschi Trucks Band released their first album, Revelator, in 2011. It won a Grammy for Best Blues Album. In 2012, they released their second album, Everybody's Talkin', which was a live album. On October 5, 2012, Oteil announced he would stop touring with the band to start a family. He hoped to make music with them again in the future.

BK3 and Other Groups

Oteil Burbridge also joined the Bill Kreutzmann Trio, known as the BK3. This group included Bill Kreutzmann from the Grateful Dead and Scott Murawski from Max Creek. They toured in 2008 and early 2009. Oteil left the group because of his touring schedule with the Allman Brothers Band. The BK3 played many Grateful Dead songs, Max Creek originals, and new songs.

In 1998, Oteil formed his own band called Oteil and the Peacemakers. They released their first album, Love of a Lifetime, that same year. They followed up with The Family Secret in 2003. In 2005, Oteil explored more spiritual themes in their third album, Believer.

Oteil was also invited by Page McConnell of Phish to join an electronic trio. This group included Oteil, Page McConnell, and Russell Batiste, Jr.. They named themselves Vida Blue after the famous baseball pitcher. The trio formed in 2001 and played until 2004. They released two albums and a DVD.

Other Cool Projects

The Green Thumb and Purple Haze

Oteil created a comic book series called "The Adventures of the Green Thumb and Purple Haze" with artist LeVar Carter. It's about twin superheroes who have powers related to nature. The comic explores ideas about nature's power and spirituality. It also looks at how big companies and governments might try to stop new ideas. A book featuring these characters was published in 2014.

Acting in a Movie

As a teenager, Oteil had a small role in the 1979 movie Being There. He played a street thug named Lolo. The movie is a comedy about politics and fame. Even though Oteil's part was small, it was in a memorable scene.

Podcast Host

Since 2020, Oteil has co-hosted the "Comes A Time Podcast" with comedian Mike Finoia. Oteil is also a big fan of professional wrestling.

Oteil's Music Albums

Solo Albums

Water in the Desert (2017)
Lovely View of Heaven (2023)

With The Zac Brown Band

The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1 (2013)

With The Tedeschi Trucks Band

Revelator (2011)
Everybody's Talkin' (2012)

With The Allman Brothers Band

Peakin' at the Beacon (2000)
Hittin' the Note (2003)
Live at the Beacon Theatre (DVD) (2003)
One Way Out (2004)
40 (DVD) (2014)
The Fox Box (2017)
Cream of the Crop 2003 (2018)
Warner Theatre, Erie, PA 7-19-05 (2020)

With Oteil and the Peacemakers

Love of a Lifetime (1998)
The Family Secret (2003)
Believer (2005)

With Vida Blue

Vida Blue (2002)
The Illustrated Band (2003)
Crossing Lines (2019)

With The Aquarium Rescue Unit

Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit (1992)
Mirrors of Embarrassment (1993)
Eepeee (1994)
In a Perfect World (1994)
The Calling (2003)

Other Collaborations

Arkansas (1987/2000) – Col Bruce Hampton
Gossip (1996) – T Lavitz
Surrender to the Air (1996) – Surrender to the Air
What Did He Say? (1997) – Victor Wooten
Bass Extremes: Cookbook (1998) – Steve Bailey, Victor Wooten
Bass Day '98 (1999) – various artists
Searching for Simplicity (1998) – Gregg Allman
The Stranger's Hand (1999) – Oteil Burbridge, Howard Levy, Jerry Goodman, Steve Smith
Croakin' at Toad's (2000) – Frogwings
The Deep End, Volume 1 (2001) – Gov't Mule
Live in NYC 6/16/04 (2005) – Heavenly Jams Band
Go There (2007) – Scott Sawyer
Lifeboat (2008) – Jimmy Herring
The Imagine Project (2010) – Herbie Hancock
Cooking With Dynamite! (2011) – Hawk Tubley & The Airtight Chiefs
Ashes & Dust (2015) – Warren Haynes