What's New?!
or should that be what's news? Or What Up or What's up or sup or sup dude or catsup.....
For the latest info go to myspace.com/willieoteri
| February 3, 2008 Yes, it's been quite some time since I last posted any news so I will try to give a brief synopsis here as opposed to a long story. Gave up on Phoenix, not much going on there as thought, moved back to Austin just the other day and so far very happy about it. Prices here for apartments have gone up a bit but not nearly as much as most cities have gone up in the last 5 years. Have you looked for an apartment in Los Angeles or San Diego lately? There of course are still a high number of cats in Austin hoping to bring back the '70s. Learn to move forward people and you will be happier. Going to just hang out for a few days and see what musicians in town are up to and start some good times. Best, Willie July 29, 2007 Check out Soultone amps at www.soultoneamps.com I will be doing some sound clips for some of their new models. They make fantastic sounding all tube amps with some very neat features. We are gearing up for the next Super Session non-stop super long jam with Stu Hamm, Jerry Martotta and many more TBA by doing two mini sessions the months before. Check the tour dates page or www.myspace.com/willieoteri for times and dates. www.supersessons.org. Peace and take care. June 16, 2007 We are getting closer to the next Super Session for October. Some very special guests of note coming to this one. Not sure if we will run it all night like the ones before. I don't think this area is quite ready for that but there will be very long jams and a very nice venue. More soon. June 10, 2007 Well, I mentioned the band name Sketch below but seems it's taken. As most names are in the days of everyone has a band. Strange how it never came up in searches including All Music Guide, then all of a sudden they turn up and have like tens of thousands of fans. Odd, but anyway we will be looking for a new name for the jazz,rock jamband thing in PHX. Galactic Tsunami came up but I don't know about that one. Maybe back to Jazz Gunn. That was always a cool name, or Jazz Tsunamie or........................ May 21, 2007 Well, the first American SuperSession is complete, held May 12 and 13 at Modified Arts in Phoenix. See www.supersessions.org for more info on that one. We had a great time and it was quite a hit leading to plans in the works for another one in Phoenix in October. We had a blast!!! I should hold my tongue as to how I feel about Phoenix audiences until I compile a complete blog on the subject. Got an old Volvo as mentioned below. A 1966 PV544 Sport for those who keep up on these things. Besides keeping my hands greasy I have also been playing a lot and forming a new band "Sketch" with Chris Michlaek and Skinny Bishop. We have plans to record very soon with drummer Pat Mastelotto. More as it all becomes......... Feb. 14, 2007 Back in the states again and getting some things moving in Los Angeles and Phoenix. The Phoenix scene is coming up real fast and we plan on helping out by having a 33 1/3 (33 hours and 20 min) show here in May which should be a blast. More info is up about it at myspace.com/willieoteri. Since a car in needed in this area of the states I have been looking for something cool and retro. Might pick up a nice old Volvo Amazon this week. If you don't know what they are just do a search at Google. Biggest problem is the bogus Emissions tests here which have nothing to do with cleaning up the air and everything to do with selling new cars. Long story but if you are a vintage car nut like me you know what I am up against. For you enviro freaks, a well tuned vintage engine is just as clean or cleaner than a new car engine. Only thing better is the hybrids for now but they are way too expensive at this point. Might be best to make the oil companies clean up their act. Oooooo, now Homeland Security will be on my ass. Ha! What a joke our country has become. More soon, Willie Nov. 11. 2006 Well, I have decided to settle back into the United States for a year or so. It's a long story . Thinking of moving to the desert, perhaps Phoenix which seems to have a lively and growing music scene and I can drive to LA in about 5 1/2 hours to work there as well. Much cheaper to have a car in the states. We shall let you know as it all developes. To be totally honest I am looking forward to living and working in the American music scene again. Oct. 25, 2006 Heading back to my second home in Italy tomorrow. No I am not rich. In fact it is getting tight for most musicians these days. Long story. Anyway keep an eye out for shows in Europe. Check myspace.com/willieoteri for latest info on tours and such. I have been spending a lot of time gathering documents of my Italian ancestors to apply for dual citizenship in Italy. If you ever want to know what is worse than trying to register a license of and expired numbered car in California just talk to me. Better still, just take a hammer and hit yourself on the foot really hard. It will feel better. The worst part of this whole mess is that supposed experts in the US and Italy are mostly full of shit. Just like divorce lawyers, they take your money and give you at best incomplete information or completely incorrect information. Believe me, if I had to do this all over again I would have done it all myself and even though it would still have taken the years it has, 3 to 5, it at least would not have been longer and I If any of you need to go through this type of thing write me and I can give you all I have learned. Stay loose and free kids, Willie Oct. 3, 2006 Wow, it has been a long time since I updated this site. Well, let's see kiddies, I have been doing shows in Italy the like. Look at tour dates for more on that. Doing some teaching and looking for a new label in a rather apathetic and boring industry. Hoping to record again soon with Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto. Waiting to hear about money for that one. Should be this winter if all goes well. I am looking for any projects anywhere so drop me a line if you have any crazy ideas. March 15, 2006 We leave for Italy tomorrow and looking forward to being back in our apartment in Padua. It will be cold this time of year but not too. Looking forward to meeting up with all of our friends in Italy and Germany and plenty of gigs coming up. I have a myspace site up now, www.myspace.com/willieoteri that may be updated a bit more often than here so check there often for tour dates and other info. I will try to keep this site up too and the new improved site should be up and running soon with downloads of tunes some for free as a taste and singles plus complete LPs for purchase. Thanks to Sue for helping out with writing the info for both sites and to Liz Redwing, Ronan, P@ and everyone for working on "78". As you can see below it has once again been pused back but it will be well worth the wait. March, 7, 2006 Well, once again "78" has been moved, this time to July or September with September in the lead. Two main reasons for this, one is that June is election time in Italy and also time of world cup soccer so you can imagine what most Italians will be doing. The second reason is we will have more to work with and more names on the marque which will be wonderful. More info as it comes in. I head back to Italy on March 16th with upcoming shows in June and July. See Tour Dates for more information. Stay tuned, Willie Feb, 6, 2006 "78" the 78 hour long jam in Italy was scheduled for April but is now moving to June in the largest castle in Italy! We should know more in a few days or so and I will post it here. So far it looks like a great lineup and a fantastic venue. Speaking of raising money for things I really want to do a follow up to Spiral Out with Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto and include Markus Reuter and Schroeder and maybe Mike Keneally. Sort of a super duper double trio. Anyone have a few grand to invest? :-) Feb 3. 2006
January 10, 2006 Some idiot on ebay has copies of "Spiral Out" listed as "out of print." No such thing. This scammer also is trying to get 98 bucks for a copy. The list price for the special Japan edition is only 46 bucks and most US copies are around 18. You can also get a Japan copy at DGM for around 18. Just do a search for "Willie Oteri" Spiral Out on Google and check the sites selling the CDs. Depending on your outlook this can be viewed as freedom of the seller or just plain greed. Seeing as used car dealers and Wal-Mart tend to be big flag wavers I think greed wins out here. I guess in a way I should feel honored by such high stakes as listed on ebay. Anyway, buy a copy elsewhere and enjoy. January 6, 2006 Well, things are moving along at their own time as always. Anyway there are good things brewing including the River Film Festival in Italy in June and "78" in April (see tour dates). Also, I will be doing some shows as Willy's Cry in Italy, sort of a flash to the past of my blues rock days. I can hear the prog and jazz snobs now but they don't pay my rent. You want more progressive stuff then support it more. OK, now back to the biz at hand and a bit of jolly for you prog types. Markus Reuter (Centrozoon, Europa String Choir) Schroeder and yours truly will be doing a trio thing for shows in Germany and other parts of the EU. We plan on recording in April. Hope you all are having a good new year so far and let it be not as much of a wash as predicted. In other words get off your ass and do something to help. Buy a CD instead of stealing it, write to your local music venues and demand better music or dump your giant car or at least use it to run over a politician. Ciao for now kids. Willie November 14, 2005 Been awhile since my last update but not a lot to report until now. Gearing up for more shows including talks about an extended jam like 331/3 and 45 hour shows but this time in New Orleans. More as it developes. Also, the River film fest will be in June and July this year in Padua Italy and I will take part in that plus shows around that time in Germany as well and hoping to do some with Markus Reuter. Oh, and of course the mighty "78" hour jam in Padua this April. We plan on heading to Italy in February unless the New Orleans show is around that time. We shall see. More soon. Love and kisses. October 24. 2005 Just got back from Italy and Germany and recovering from a slight cold not to mention the great times in Europe. 45 B-Side in Padua was a great success and a good time by all. The show at Cafe Cairo in Wurzburg was small but mighty and we had Marcus Reuter filling in the bass slot and a lot more on Warr guitar. The 78 hour jam is booked for late April with a tentetive lineup that would be great if even half showed up. Also I have tentetive dates for festivals in Germany and Italy for June and July. I will write on all the eventes in more detail here soon. Sept. 29, 2005 Well, looks like some more friends are going to be making to Italy for the 45 B-Side including Johnny Gomer a guitarist from Germany who made it to the 1st 45 with Shcroeder and also played my shows in Germany and some memebers of East Rodeo will be around as well plus players we are not going to mention until the day of the show so you will just have to make it out to Padua and stop by. It should be a real fun time. Sept. 24. 2005 As we gear up the the next 45 hour jam in Italy we have been getting a lot of press. In our press releases we have mentioned many names that get edited, names of promoters, backers. musicians, etc.One of these is Chris Boulet whom without there would be no 45 or 33 and 1/3 or 14 or lots of other events in the Veneoto region of Italy. His crazy idea to have a 14 hour long jam is what got myself, Schroder and Tony Levin to want to do 33 1/3 although Tony did not make it until the first 45. Editors tend to be the sorts that search a name, in this case often the All Music Guide and make a judgement call from there. Since Chris Bolet has only had indie releases with limited distribution it is not likely his name would come up on so many lists, much of the greatist talent does not, as these lists tend to be major label promoted. But, that being said most music critics and editors names never come up either on similar lists, unless they write for the NY Times, DownBeat or Rolling Stone. Catch my drift here? It is there job to cut things to fit in a paper or magazine and they do what they feel is best to make it a good read but not always leading to a better read. So, let me take this moment to tell you all that without the many varied talents of Chris Boulet these events would not have happend or be happening. Thank you Chris. Sept. 16, 2005 Life can take some interesting turns while you are making other plans. Let's just say that sometimes the bad guys win but often something else comes along to make up for it. In this case a great lineup for 45-B Side, the 45 hour non-stop jam show in Padua on Oct. 9, 10 , 11. Two of my favorite drummers are on hand, Pat Mastelotto and Schroeder, I have not played with Pat for a long time but I can tell you that Schroeder is one bad mother so the two of them together should prove to be interesting to say the least. Other guests include touch guitarist Markus Reuter, Indian via Germany keyboard man T.L., friends Ronan Chris Murphy, P. Mike III, Alex Arcuri, Pietro Valente, and many more, too many to list here. Hopefully Johnny and Penny will make it down as well. Please visit www.factory04.com for more information. Sept. 12, 2005 Just found out that one of our friends from New Orleans is OK and made it to Texas with family and will be going to stay in MO for a bit. He saw his house on video and it appears that only the bottom floor was flooded. We are talking about helping to welcome back the music of New Orleans with a marathon jam like 45 when it is possible. Latest reports show that the French Quarter and surrounding areas might be open in 3 or 4 months. Let's hope so. This is a wonderful town. 45 B-Side is in full swing for Oct. 9,10,11 in Italy with special guests Pat Mastelotto, Ronan Chris Murphy, P. Mike III, Schroeder, TL and many more. See www.factory04.com for more information. Sept. 7, 2005 It has been some time since we updated the news last and much is going on getting ready for 45 B-Side in Italy and a couple of shows in Germany but for now I must ask that we all take a bit of time out to help with victims of disaters and war around the world and here at home. I have a few friends in New Orleans that have not been heard from for many days. We are searching the net and doing what we can by email and such but all we can do is wait. Tommy if you are by any chance checking here please write us and let us know how you are. July 2, 2005 Just getting back to the feeling and vibes of the States. Not easy and here in Tempe it is damn hot just to top it off!!! I am working on a potential live recording in LA and looking for any projects as producer or guitarist that any of you may have. I will be back in Europe in October for gigs in Germany and Italy including the B-Side of 45. More soon, Willie June 10, 2005 We have a new date for the Hypnoise show at Portello River Film Fest in Padova due to rain. The new date is June 16, see the tour dates part of this site for more information. Also, almost forgot to thank all the great musicians who worked with me at the River Film Fest show on the 5th, Alex, Alberto, Pietro and Josh. Thanks again. June 6, 2005 Just finished a great show here in Padova at the River Film Festival near my apartment. Very nice people and great fans. I hope all of you keep in touch and come to more shows. The film festival is 14 days of films and music on the water near a very old part of town, the Portello. Thanks to all the folks who made if possible and a special thanks to Emilio Della Chiesa for putting on the event and working hard to deal with my special needs for sound and stage. May 18, 2005 Just back from a wonderful week in Germany where we had two wonderful shows and a great visit and stay at the home of German drummer Schroeder and Penny. I must add that the more I play with Schroeder the more he is becoming one of my favorite drummers of all time. We had a great warm up shown on the 10th in Freiburg at the Waldsee, a very nice club and grub spot near a lake followed by a fantastic show on the 15th in Wurtzburg at the Cafe Cairo in a very old building below a castle. Great crowd and a great performance by all making it one of the best shows for me in many years and in the top 5 as far as I can remember. Both shows were recorded and the Cafe Cairo show was also video taped so hopefully some things to present will come from that. A very special thanks to Charley from Freakshow and to all the musicians who performed at the shows, of course Schroeder on drums, Sylvia Oelgrug on violin, Johnny Gomer on second guitar, TL Mazumdar on keyboards and Jan Fitschen on bass and Chapman stick. Also to Hendrick for adding to the bass lineup for the first night. I plan on doing more shows in Germay this fall and winter so keep checking back for dates. Thanks also to our friends at Der Geier, a wonderful little bar and food place near Schroeder's home or should I say within stumbling distance of his home. The name means the Vulture in English as it was once a hang of the the Third Reich in the old days but is now a very cool hang of alternative types. Yes Bernd, the cigs changed my life! Quack! Looks like another 45 hour jam will be coming up in early October so I will post more information about that as it comes in. I may take part in a small jam this Saturday at the Factory04 in Padova and I have a confirmed date for the River Film Festaval here on June 5. More soon and take care, Willie May 10, 2005 Just getting up from our first night of visiting with friends in Germany. Much good food and drink. The train ride was not too bad except we were booked mostly on commuter trains which have little baggage space. Next trip I will go to a different travel agent. I don't think this one has ever been on a train. I will be meeting the musicians later today, which includes the great Schroeder and Penny, who will be the lineup for the shows here which should prove fun. I have a good modem hookup here at the home of Schroeder so I will try to update more often. Take care, Willie May 6, 2005 Getting ready for a small tour of Germany and some sightseeing and visiting with friends Schroeder, Penny and Johnny. We have shows booked for the 10th in Freiburg and the 15th in Wurtzburg and hopefully one more somewhere in between. We are still recovering from “45” the 45 hour non-stop improvisation marathon which ended April 26th. There was a great turnout to see some great jams with Tony Levin, Schroeder and others and some special moments with members of the Italian band Mariposa, some ambient magic with Ronan Chris Murphy, Cookie Marenco, Tony and P. Mike III. I don’t think Cookie and friend John Capobianco quite knew what they were getting into but a great time was had by all. Thanks for the trumpet John and thanks Tony for some magic jams. I will post some photos soon of all the madness. A special thanks to those mentioned above and to Chris Boulet, Pietro Valente, Alex Arcuri, the mad man from Wales Andrew, Enrico Crivellaro, members of Astrailia, Johnny B. Gomer, all the folks at Factory04, Cantina Musicali and the Region of Veneto and many others whom even though not listed did a wonderful job of contributing, just too many to list. See www.facory04.com for more information. We are planning B-Side for the fall and “78” for next year. Look out!!!
|
What's New?!
or should that be what's news? Or What Up or What's up or sup or sup dude or catsup.....
For the latest info go to myspace.com/willieoteri
| Oct. 3, 2006 Wow, it has been a long time since I updated this site. Well, let's see kiddies, I have been doing shows in Italy the like. Look at tour dates for more on that. Doing some teaching and looking for a new label in a rather apathetic and boring industry. Hoping to record again soon with Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto. Waiting to hear about money for that one. Should be this winter if all goes well. I am looking for any projects anywhere so drop me a line if you have any crazy ideas. March 15, 2006 We leave for Italy tomorrow and looking forward to being back in our apartment in Padua. It will be cold this time of year but not too. Looking forward to meeting up with all of our friends in Italy and Germany and plenty of gigs coming up. I have a myspace site up now, www.myspace.com/willieoteri that may be updated a bit more often than here so check there often for tour dates and other info. I will try to keep this site up too and the new improved site should be up and running soon with downloads of tunes some for free as a taste and singles plus complete LPs for purchase. Thanks to Sue for helping out with writing the info for both sites and to Liz Redwing, Ronan, P@ and everyone for working on "78". As you can see below it has once again been pused back but it will be well worth the wait. March, 7, 2006 Well, once again "78" has been moved, this time to July or September with September in the lead. Two main reasons for this, one is that June is election time in Italy and also time of world cup soccer so you can imagine what most Italians will be doing. The second reason is we will have more to work with and more names on the marque which will be wonderful. More info as it comes in. I head back to Italy on March 16th with upcoming shows in June and July. See Tour Dates for more information. Stay tuned, Willie Feb, 6, 2006 "78" the 78 hour long jam in Italy was scheduled for April but is now moving to June in the largest castle in Italy! We should know more in a few days or so and I will post it here. So far it looks like a great lineup and a fantastic venue. Speaking of raising money for things I really want to do a follow up to Spiral Out with Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto and include Markus Reuter and Schroeder and maybe Mike Keneally. Sort of a super duper double trio. Anyone have a few grand to invest? :-) Feb 3. 2006
January 10, 2006 Some idiot on ebay has copies of "Spiral Out" listed as "out of print." No such thing. This scammer also is trying to get 98 bucks for a copy. The list price for the special Japan edition is only 46 bucks and most US copies are around 18. You can also get a Japan copy at DGM for around 18. Just do a search for "Willie Oteri" Spiral Out on Google and check the sites selling the CDs. Depending on your outlook this can be viewed as freedom of the seller or just plain greed. Seeing as used car dealers and Wal-Mart tend to be big flag wavers I think greed wins out here. I guess in a way I should feel honored by such high stakes as listed on ebay. Anyway, buy a copy elsewhere and enjoy. January 6, 2006 Well, things are moving along at their own time as always. Anyway there are good things brewing including the River Film Festival in Italy in June and "78" in April (see tour dates). Also, I will be doing some shows as Willy's Cry in Italy, sort of a flash to the past of my blues rock days. I can hear the prog and jazz snobs now but they don't pay my rent. You want more progressive stuff then support it more. OK, now back to the biz at hand and a bit of jolly for you prog types. Markus Reuter (Centrozoon, Europa String Choir) Schroeder and yours truly will be doing a trio thing for shows in Germany and other parts of the EU. We plan on recording in April. Hope you all are having a good new year so far and let it be not as much of a wash as predicted. In other words get off your ass and do something to help. Buy a CD instead of stealing it, write to your local music venues and demand better music or dump your giant car or at least use it to run over a politician. Ciao for now kids. Willie November 14, 2005 Been awhile since my last update but not a lot to report until now. Gearing up for more shows including talks about an extended jam like 331/3 and 45 hour shows but this time in New Orleans. More as it developes. Also, the River film fest will be in June and July this year in Padua Italy and I will take part in that plus shows around that time in Germany as well and hoping to do some with Markus Reuter. Oh, and of course the mighty "78" hour jam in Padua this April. We plan on heading to Italy in February unless the New Orleans show is around that time. We shall see. More soon. Love and kisses. October 24. 2005 Just got back from Italy and Germany and recovering from a slight cold not to mention the great times in Europe. 45 B-Side in Padua was a great success and a good time by all. The show at Cafe Cairo in Wurzburg was small but mighty and we had Marcus Reuter filling in the bass slot and a lot more on Warr guitar. The 78 hour jam is booked for late April with a tentetive lineup that would be great if even half showed up. Also I have tentetive dates for festivals in Germany and Italy for June and July. I will write on all the eventes in more detail here soon. Sept. 29, 2005 Well, looks like some more friends are going to be making to Italy for the 45 B-Side including Johnny Gomer a guitarist from Germany who made it to the 1st 45 with Shcroeder and also played my shows in Germany and some memebers of East Rodeo will be around as well plus players we are not going to mention until the day of the show so you will just have to make it out to Padua and stop by. It should be a real fun time. Sept. 24. 2005 As we gear up the the next 45 hour jam in Italy we have been getting a lot of press. In our press releases we have mentioned many names that get edited, names of promoters, backers. musicians, etc.One of these is Chris Boulet whom without there would be no 45 or 33 and 1/3 or 14 or lots of other events in the Veneoto region of Italy. His crazy idea to have a 14 hour long jam is what got myself, Schroder and Tony Levin to want to do 33 1/3 although Tony did not make it until the first 45. Editors tend to be the sorts that search a name, in this case often the All Music Guide and make a judgement call from there. Since Chris Bolet has only had indie releases with limited distribution it is not likely his name would come up on so many lists, much of the greatist talent does not, as these lists tend to be major label promoted. But, that being said most music critics and editors names never come up either on similar lists, unless they write for the NY Times, DownBeat or Rolling Stone. Catch my drift here? It is there job to cut things to fit in a paper or magazine and they do what they feel is best to make it a good read but not always leading to a better read. So, let me take this moment to tell you all that without the many varied talents of Chris Boulet these events would not have happend or be happening. Thank you Chris. Sept. 16, 2005 Life can take some interesting turns while you are making other plans. Let's just say that sometimes the bad guys win but often something else comes along to make up for it. In this case a great lineup for 45-B Side, the 45 hour non-stop jam show in Padua on Oct. 9, 10 , 11. Two of my favorite drummers are on hand, Pat Mastelotto and Schroeder, I have not played with Pat for a long time but I can tell you that Schroeder is one bad mother so the two of them together should prove to be interesting to say the least. Other guests include touch guitarist Markus Reuter, Indian via Germany keyboard man T.L., friends Ronan Chris Murphy, P. Mike III, Alex Arcuri, Pietro Valente, and many more, too many to list here. Hopefully Johnny and Penny will make it down as well. Please visit www.factory04.com for more information. Sept. 12, 2005 Just found out that one of our friends from New Orleans is OK and made it to Texas with family and will be going to stay in MO for a bit. He saw his house on video and it appears that only the bottom floor was flooded. We are talking about helping to welcome back the music of New Orleans with a marathon jam like 45 when it is possible. Latest reports show that the French Quarter and surrounding areas might be open in 3 or 4 months. Let's hope so. This is a wonderful town. 45 B-Side is in full swing for Oct. 9,10,11 in Italy with special guests Pat Mastelotto, Ronan Chris Murphy, P. Mike III, Schroeder, TL and many more. See www.factory04.com for more information. Sept. 7, 2005 It has been some time since we updated the news last and much is going on getting ready for 45 B-Side in Italy and a couple of shows in Germany but for now I must ask that we all take a bit of time out to help with victims of disaters and war around the world and here at home. I have a few friends in New Orleans that have not been heard from for many days. We are searching the net and doing what we can by email and such but all we can do is wait. Tommy if you are by any chance checking here please write us and let us know how you are. July 2, 2005 Just getting back to the feeling and vibes of the States. Not easy and here in Tempe it is damn hot just to top it off!!! I am working on a potential live recording in LA and looking for any projects as producer or guitarist that any of you may have. I will be back in Europe in October for gigs in Germany and Italy including the B-Side of 45. More soon, Willie June 10, 2005 We have a new date for the Hypnoise show at Portello River Film Fest in Padova due to rain. The new date is June 16, see the tour dates part of this site for more information. Also, almost forgot to thank all the great musicians who worked with me at the River Film Fest show on the 5th, Alex, Alberto, Pietro and Josh. Thanks again. June 6, 2005 Just finished a great show here in Padova at the River Film Festival near my apartment. Very nice people and great fans. I hope all of you keep in touch and come to more shows. The film festival is 14 days of films and music on the water near a very old part of town, the Portello. Thanks to all the folks who made if possible and a special thanks to Emilio Della Chiesa for putting on the event and working hard to deal with my special needs for sound and stage. May 18, 2005 Just back from a wonderful week in Germany where we had two wonderful shows and a great visit and stay at the home of German drummer Schroeder and Penny. I must add that the more I play with Schroeder the more he is becoming one of my favorite drummers of all time. We had a great warm up shown on the 10th in Freiburg at the Waldsee, a very nice club and grub spot near a lake followed by a fantastic show on the 15th in Wurtzburg at the Cafe Cairo in a very old building below a castle. Great crowd and a great performance by all making it one of the best shows for me in many years and in the top 5 as far as I can remember. Both shows were recorded and the Cafe Cairo show was also video taped so hopefully some things to present will come from that. A very special thanks to Charley from Freakshow and to all the musicians who performed at the shows, of course Schroeder on drums, Sylvia Oelgrug on violin, Johnny Gomer on second guitar, TL Mazumdar on keyboards and Jan Fitschen on bass and Chapman stick. Also to Hendrick for adding to the bass lineup for the first night. I plan on doing more shows in Germay this fall and winter so keep checking back for dates. Thanks also to our friends at Der Geier, a wonderful little bar and food place near Schroeder's home or should I say within stumbling distance of his home. The name means the Vulture in English as it was once a hang of the the Third Reich in the old days but is now a very cool hang of alternative types. Yes Bernd, the cigs changed my life! Quack! Looks like another 45 hour jam will be coming up in early October so I will post more information about that as it comes in. I may take part in a small jam this Saturday at the Factory04 in Padova and I have a confirmed date for the River Film Festaval here on June 5. More soon and take care, Willie May 10, 2005 Just getting up from our first night of visiting with friends in Germany. Much good food and drink. The train ride was not too bad except we were booked mostly on commuter trains which have little baggage space. Next trip I will go to a different travel agent. I don't think this one has ever been on a train. I will be meeting the musicians later today, which includes the great Schroeder and Penny, who will be the lineup for the shows here which should prove fun. I have a good modem hookup here at the home of Schroeder so I will try to update more often. Take care, Willie May 6, 2005 Getting ready for a small tour of Germany and some sightseeing and visiting with friends Schroeder, Penny and Johnny. We have shows booked for the 10th in Freiburg and the 15th in Wurtzburg and hopefully one more somewhere in between. We are still recovering from “45” the 45 hour non-stop improvisation marathon which ended April 26th. There was a great turnout to see some great jams with Tony Levin, Schroeder and others and some special moments with members of the Italian band Mariposa, some ambient magic with Ronan Chris Murphy, Cookie Marenco, Tony and P. Mike III. I don’t think Cookie and friend John Capobianco quite knew what they were getting into but a great time was had by all. Thanks for the trumpet John and thanks Tony for some magic jams. I will post some photos soon of all the madness. A special thanks to those mentioned above and to Chris Boulet, Pietro Valente, Alex Arcuri, the mad man from Wales Andrew, Enrico Crivellaro, members of Astrailia, Johnny B. Gomer, all the folks at Factory04, Cantina Musicali and the Region of Veneto and many others whom even though not listed did a wonderful job of contributing, just too many to list. See www.facory04.com for more information. We are planning B-Side for the fall and “78” for next year. Look out!!! I have a local show coming up here in Padova (Padua to you in the states) on June 5th on the water near my apartment with bassman Alex Arcuri and drummer Pietro Valente. You will see that we are updating the site with a new look and feel so check back often for new photos, news and sounds. After a couple of weeks visit from Producer Ronan Chris Murphy we have plans for a new version of “Spiral Out” to be released in the states and EU soon with a bonus track and plans for some live recordings in the summer in LA to be used for a new release. That about covers it, I hope. Take care, Willie April 13, 2005 Long time no update. Must be Italy. Anyway we are busy tracking for the next CD, doing guitar parts in my apartment in Padova. Also working with Ronan Chris Murphy and P. Mike III on some guitar looping ideas for some upcoming shows. See Tour Dates for more info. The big news is "45" the 45 hour non stop improv music event here in Padova which is attracting a lot of attention and we have been honored by the great Tony Levin to have him on bass and stick for much of the event along with Cookie Marenco and friends, DJ Butthouse, Ronan and tons of other great musicians from around the globe, some of name we can not mention for legal reasons. Should be a blast. www.factory04.com March 10. 2004 Packing for Italy and beyond. Trying to dummy proof road cases for gear but in minimum wage amerika it is getting harder and harder to do. As we mentioned before DGM has sold out of "Spiral Out" as have many other stores and we have just been informed that it will take until April to get more stock from Japan. Me thinks the label was asleap at the wheel on this one. Please go to the CD info page to find other possible outlets. BTW "Spiral Out" is available for license in the states and the EU if you are in that part of the biz and want to help out. March 4, 2005 Had a nice lunch with my brother today here in Arizona. Thanks me bro. We have been infomed that DGM has sold out of "Spiral Out" but we should have more for ya in a week or so. Thanks to all those who made the purchase and by doing so have helped to support small business and indie music. February 20 2005 I am very excited to be working again with producer, mixer Ronan Chris Murpy on a second CD that will also feature the King Crimson rhythm section, Pat Mastelotto and Tony Levin. We are in the basic talks now and we will be recording around the end of April, mostly in Italy. We are booking shows for duets and full bands for the spring and summer including shows in Germany and Italy and hopefully other parts of the EU, including "45" a 45 hour non stop improvistional concert in Padova. This is part of a continuing madness that started years ago in the mind of Chris Boulet who started with a 6 plus hour non stop show then a14 hour non stop show and then the infamous 33 1/3 show last year and now comes 45. Should be a blast as always. Stay tuned. Until next time, don't hide in the Bush. Willie February 10, 2005 We are happy to announce that DGM / InnerKnot is stocking "Spiral Out". This is the best price you can find on the Japanese Import version of the CD, which sounds great, and perhaps the nicest people to buy from. visit them at www.disciplineglobalmobile.com A special thanks to Bill and Amy for helping put it all together. We are getting ready to head back to Italy where Ronan Chris Murphy and I will be working on the next CD which will also feature P@ Mastelotto and Tony Levin. Besides the CD I will be doing some shows with the band East Rodeo, some sit ins with a Zappa tribute band and some guitar duets. I should have the show dates finalized in the next few weeks. Check "tour dates" in a few weeks to see what is up. Things move a little slower over there. Take care, Willie January 30. 2005 Hope this finds all of you well and in good spirits. The latest news in the Willie Oteri camp is the start of talks to record another CD tentatively titled Spiral Eyes. This will also incorporate tracks with world renowned bass master Tony Levin and drummer elite Pat Mastelotto plus the talents of some top jazz and rock musicians. Producer Ronan Chris Murphy and I will be tracking some in Italy and some in the States. In addition to tracking in Italy we will also be looking into more recording seminars with Ronan Chris Murphy and myself and an in store performance or two at some shops in Italy, perhaps Esse Music, plus a duet of guitar and computer generated ideas with Mike Prosdocimi or Chris Boulet and myself. DGM / Innerknot (Discipline Global Mobile) will be offering our CD “Spiral Out” and we have great hopes for the new connections and fans this will bring. I hope also to perform as much as possible with friends in bands I know both in Europe and the States as this spring approaches. Check “Tour Dates” for more information. Take care, Willie November 24, 2004 Just getting back to the Arizona and working to get back to the EU as soon as possible. I will be available for sessions, producing or live performance for about 3 months if any of you have interest just email me at willie@willieoteri.com. I had a great time performing in Italy with wowwhywow and a great show on Oct. 12 with Schroeder on drums and Penny (Sylvia Oelkrug) on violin plus Alen and Nenad of East Rodeo on bass and guitar at VS Art Gallery in Padova. We are looking to do more shows together very soon, maybe some in Germany. Also, had a great time in Slovakia performing with Oskar Rosza and the boys in Kosice for the Jazz For Sale Festival. I hope to get back there for more shows this winter and spring. You can find a review of the show at http://mp3.box.sk/newsread.php?newsid=12406&pid=music&subject=music+%3A%3A+interview Thanks to Jan
at Hevhetia for working so hard to put this all together
and to Oct. 19, 2005 Well, we are just resting here in Padova after a very successful 33 1/3 hour non-stop improvisation at Banale Club with many great musicians from around the world. A special thanks to all the folks at Banale and Megabass for helping to make it all possible. Drummer Schroeder and his girl Penny (Sylvia Olekrug-violin) were real sports about hanging in through all of it good or bad. Mostly good I am happy to report. Schroeder, Penny, myself and members of East Rodeo (Alen and Nenad Sinkauz) had a show the night before at VS artGallery in Padova which was a good warm up for 33 1/3 and a very successful show to help promote improvisational music in Italy. Thanks to Davide, Nicoletta, the Region of Veneto, ACIS and folks like Vittoria Nalin at Cantina Musicale for helping to promote creative music and art. Speaking of improv music events, Chris Boulet, the mind behind 14 and 33 1/3 is already working on 45, yes 45 hours non-stop. The venue and date are tentative but look for it around the end of April 2005 somewhere near Padova Italy. I am sure I will co-host the event and Schroeder will be on hand. Also this month we had some successful recording master classes with Producer/mixer Ronan Chris Murphy who you should know from his work with Crim and many others. A very special thanks to Alberto Roveroni for the use of his studio Frabbrica del Suono and his great abilities. The first week of November we head to Slovakia for the Jazz Fest in Kocise. Check the tour dates page for more information. I am really looking forward to this show. The Czech Reb. gigs are off until Spring 2005 so I will again find myself in the land of the apathetic, some call it America, by mid November unless I can pull a rabbit out of my hat. So if any of you in the states want to do anything besides watch TV just give me a call. There may be some time for a few shows near the end of my stay there and perhaps a seminar with RCM in Arizona. Well that be it for now folks and don’t get too near the Bush, it can burn you. Ciao, Willie Sept. 22, 2004 Yes, it has been a long time since an update. Perhaps it’s Italian time or just that I am a bit busy coupled with the fact that I do not have a phone line in my apartment and the internet cafes here do not have an html editor that I know. Finally I have dragged the laptop down to the internet point and here we are. Things are moving along here with several shows in the works, keep checking the “tour dates” page for new shows several of which are near Padua including the 33 1/3 hour marathon. Also, in October I will be working with Ronan Chris Murphy on a few things like recordings and master classes. In November we head to Slovakia for a jazz fest, again check “tour dates” for more info. Then into the Czech Republic for some shows. I will be working with bassist Oskar Rosza for the Slovak jazz fest which may lead to some recordings. We are hoping to re-release the Jazz Gunn CD I recorded in Austin a few years back. This will be with a Slovak label and perhaps on DIW as well. This is more of a straight up Jazz Funk album with not too much guitar flash but a great record for Miles fans. For you Crim fans I hope to do a brand new record this year or early next. Remember “Spiral Out” was tracked in only two days with no rehearsals. After the wonderful comments from some of you about how inspired Tony and Pat sound on “Spiral Out” I hope we can do something with them again that is a bit more thought out but with the same free feel. If not with Pat and Tony then with some new players and an attempt to do something very creative and new.
May the Force save you from the Bush, Willie July 22, 2004 Some Italian tour dates have been confirmed and several more dates in the EU are coming up. Check the "tour dates" page for more information. www.willieoteri.com/tour.htm The dates include my part in a one of a kind world event. 33 1/3. This is a two day 33 and 1/3 hour non stop musical improvisation in Padova Italy with muscians from around the world. Not to be missed by jazz fans or deadheads. Also, I have added some information to the bio page and a short Italian bio as well. July 16, 2004 We are getting the nod, so to speak, for shows in Italy this summer and fall. Look for dates in and around Padua and Rome and perhaps Milan as well. We will be at Greenwich pub, La Nonna Lille, a small club in Abano Terme, the name escapes me at the moment and several other shows. Also, shows in late October and early November in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. I'm excited. My good friend producer Ronan Chris Murphy will be in Italy to produce a record for the band Hypnoise and we will be doing some seminars together if all goes as planned. More on all of this soon. June 12, 2004 I can't say it better than this man so I won't try. Please read this and then my addition to it below. We presume too much for our musical heroes. We listen and then, it seems, we just know they're so good, we assume numerous fans feel the same way, providing at least enough artistic and economic support to sustain careers and keep that creative vision growing vigorously. This hypothesis may appear supported by a somewhat steady flow of recordings and sideman appearances, although they never seem to tour through your town. Presume nothing. Taken from and interview with Marc Cary by Phil DiPietro in All About Jazz www.allaboutjazz.com OK, so a lot of you write musicians and tell them you want them to perform in your town. OK, here's the deal; do not copy and exchange our material or download it for free! Go out and buy it! That will help to convince labels and booking agents that we are wanted. Then call your local clubs and booking agents and tell them to book us. Writing to us does not help. It just frutrates us as we are not in charge. We make the music, we don't book it outside of small shows ussually in our own towns. We can't for several reasons. So do the above and help out. Thanks and let's work together. Meanwhile several shows are being put together in Italy for this summer so stay tuned for that and other dates. They do it right. Thanks to Chris Boulet and Voyage Show Agency for their help. May 23. 2004 We just put up some of my wife's artistic photos of Italy for your viewing pleasure. Please check them out on the photos page or just click here. www.willieoteri.com/photos.htm You will need Explorer as your browser. May 17, 2004 OK here is a web address for locating the best deal on "Spiral Out" for you and your country. Yes, you can find shipping to most anywhere for the CD and some good deals as well. Check it out. http://www.anycd4less.com/detail/B0000C0FCP.html May 8, 2004 OK, lots of people emailing about stores and online shops being back ordered on the CD "Spiral Out". Please write to info@diskunion.co.jp if you are having a problem finding the CD. Apparently it has sold out at more than a few shops, which I hope is a good thing. Also, people want to know when we are coming to their town for a show. Well, it's like this, US vs EU and to be honest I prefer to play in Italy and the rest of the EU over the US for several reasons which I will not go into here the least being respect. If you would like to see us perform in your city please make it known to your local clubs and talent agencies. For contact refer them to willie@willieoteri.comor liz@lizredwing.com Also, I am looking for a new manager. Contact the above addresses if interested. April 15, 2004 Been a long time since I posted any news but things like life get in the way sometimes. Just back from Italy last week and resting up here in Tempe near my family and getting ready to do some work with some US bands. More on that later. Italy is a blast and the only place I know where you can pull off something like we did in Padova, a 14 hour non stop improvisation with over 50 musicians from around the globe, thanks to the genius mind of Chris Boulet. Yes, we recorded all 14 hours and have some people weeding through it, so to speak. Chris is an amazing ball of talent who was nice enough to lone me some members of his band wowwhywow for the Italian shows and was the mad brain behind what is now known as "14". Is it true that 33 and 1/3 is next?! Someone help us! Getting some good reviews of Spiral Out in magazines like www.allaboutjazz.com, JazzTimes and www.movimentiprog.it. Looks like I will be working with the Hellboys on the next CD sometime in August. Sounds like fun and I will give more details as they come in. The first Hellboys CD is just out with, Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta, Tony Geballe, Robert Fripp and members of California Guitar Trio all contributing. Not sure who will be on this next one but I am looking forward to laying in some tracks. We have new "photos" and "tourdates" pages up and we will be posting more to them soon. We have a lot of photos of Italian shows to go through and some from shows in Japan as well. Most taken by my wife Sue Short who does not usually shoot band photos, but did a great job, focusing mostly on the artistic side of her craft with things like water reflections of famous places and buildings. We will post some of those soon too. Hoping soon to build an Italian site linked to this one. Well, that is about it for know. Watch your heads. January 2, 2004 Wow!!!! It's 2004 already?! Are we living on the moon or Mars yet? Why not?! December 29. 2003 The
folks below are offering free shipping on "Spiral
Out" December 18, 2003 OK, sound samples, for those who have been asking are up at fye.com, just search for oteri or spiral out. I'm not real big on samples for long progressive tunes and would much prefer to buy a CD of this type from a store that will let me trade it back if I'm not plea |