Ottmar Liebert facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ottmar Liebert
Liebert in 2018
Background information
Born	(1959-02-01) 1 February 1959 (age 66) Cologne, West Germany
Genres	New-age smooth jazz classical flamenco
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Higher Octave Epic Sony 33rd Street

Ottmar Liebert (born February 1, 1959) is a German guitarist, songwriter, and music producer. He is famous for his music that sounds like Spanish flamenco. Liebert has been nominated for five Grammy Awards. He has earned 38 Gold and Platinum awards for his albums in the United States. He also has awards from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. His first album, Nouveau Flamenco (1990), sold over a million copies in the U.S.

Early Life

Ottmar Liebert was born on February 1, 1959, in Cologne, West Germany. His father was Chinese-German, and his mother was Hungarian. As a child, he traveled a lot with his family. They visited many countries in Europe and Asia.

He started playing classical guitar when he was 11 years old. At 14, he began learning flamenco guitar. He found a flamenco record in a store and was inspired. Before moving to the United States, he played rock music in Germany. He lived in Boston for a few years, playing in rock clubs. In 1986, Liebert moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, he wanted to create a new kind of music.

Liebert says he was inspired by many musicians. These include Carlos Santana, Paco de Lucía, and Miles Davis. He also learned from artists who taught him about space and how to use different sounds in music.

Music Journey

A Lester DeVoe guitar owned by Ottmar Liebert

In 1988, Liebert formed his band called Luna Negra. Luna Negra means "black moon." That year, he made his own album called Marita: Shadows and Storms. He sold the first thousand copies at an art gallery in Santa Fe.

When radio stations started playing his music, people loved it. A record company called Higher Octave Music then released a new version of the album. It was named Nouveau Flamenco (1990). This album became a huge success, selling over two million copies in the United States.

Liebert released more successful albums after his first one. These albums continued and grew his unique sound. Some of them include Borrasca (1991), Solo Para Ti (1992), and The Hours Between Night + Day (1993). All three of these albums earned Gold awards. His success around the world continued with ¡Viva! (1995). This album earned Platinum status in the United States and Latin America.

Ottmar Liebert has recorded with Luna Negra since 1989. The band members have changed over time. But the bassist, Jon Gagan, has always been with him.

Since 1990, Ottmar Liebert has released 25 albums. These include live albums, Christmas CDs, and 15 CDs of new music. He has also released a DVD and many remixed songs. He has earned 38 Gold and Platinum awards in the U.S. He also has awards from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In 2006, Liebert shared his song "This Spring Release 10,000 Butterflies." This song was part of a project called Artists for Charity - Guitarists 4 the Kids. The project helped underprivileged children through World Vision Canada.

What is Nouveau Flamenco?

Liebert calls his music style "Nouveau Flamenco." In an interview, he explained that he needed a name for his music when he signed with a record company. His music has flamenco parts, but it is not like traditional flamenco. It focuses more on melodies and simpler forms. Since his music wasn't jazz, rock, or classical, he felt flamenco was the closest word. People could understand it.

Some people criticized Liebert for using the term "Nouveau Flamenco." They said his music did not follow traditional flamenco forms. Some thought it was a way to market his music. They felt he was trying to connect it to the "Flamenco Nuevo" style. This style was when flamenco artists added new influences from Latin America or jazz.

Even Paco de Lucia, a famous flamenco guitarist who inspired Liebert, had some strong words. He once called Liebert's music "a degeneration, a caricature of flamenco." However, later on, Paco seemed to appreciate Liebert's music more. Paco's own record company even mentioned Liebert in their promotions.

Life Outside Music

Since 1986, Liebert has lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In May 2006, he became a Zen monk. He was ordained by Dennis Genpo Merzel at the Kanzeon Zen Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Awards and Achievements

Ottmar Liebert's albums have received many awards:

• Nouveau Flamenco (1990): Platinum in US, 14x Platinum in US/Latin, Platinum in Australia, Platinum in New Zealand, Gold in Canada, Gold in Mexico.
• Poets & Angels: Music 4 the Holidays (1990): 2x Platinum in US/Latin.
• Borrasca (1991): Gold in US, 4x Platinum in US/Latin.
• Solo Para Ti (1992): Gold in US, 2x Platinum in US/Latin, Gold in Canada.
• The Hours Between Night + Day (1993): Gold in US, 2x Platinum in US/Latin, Gold in Canada, Gold in New Zealand.
• Euphoria (1995): Gold in US/Latin.
• ¡Viva! (1995): Platinum in US/Latin.
• Opium (1996): Platinum in US/Latin.
• Leaning Into the Night (Inclinado en la Noche) (1997): Gold in US/Latin.
• Innamorare: Summer Flamenco (1999): Gold in US/Latin.
• Nouveau Flamenco: 1990–2000 Special Tenth Anniversary Edition (2000): Platinum in US/Latin.

Music Albums

Studio Albums

Other Music

• Compilations: These are albums with songs from different past recordings. Some include Rumba Collection 1992–1997 (1998) and Barcelona Nights: The Best of Ottmar Liebert Volume One (2001).
• Singles: These are individual songs released separately. Examples include Havana Club (1995) and Little Wing - Radio Sampler (2001).
• Videos: He released a live video called Wide-eyed + Dreaming – Live (1996) on VHS and DVD.
• Produced Albums: Liebert also produced the album Soul Encounters/Encuentros Del Alma by Chuscales (1999).

See also

In Spanish: Ottmar Liebert para niños

• Johannes Linstead
• List of ambient music artists