Leo Kottke

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Leo Kottke
Kottke at the Clearwater Festival, 2007
Background information
Born	(1945-09-11) September 11, 1945 (age 79) Athens, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	American rock, Americana, acoustic rock, American primitive guitar[citation needed]
Occupation	Musician
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1966–present
Labels	Capitol, Chrysalis, Private Music, Oblivion Records
Website	Official website

Leo Kottke (born September 11, 1945) is an American acoustic guitarist.^[1][2] He is known for a fingerpicking style that draws on blues, jazz, and folk music, and for syncopated, polyphonic melodies. He has overcome a series of personal obstacles, including partial loss of hearing and a nearly career-ending bout with tendon damage in his right hand, to emerge as a widely recognized master of his instrument. He resides in the Minneapolis area with his family.^[3]

Focusing primarily on instrumental composition and playing, Kottke also sings sporadically, in an unconventional yet expressive baritone described by himself as sounding like "geese farts on a muggy day".^[4] In concert, Kottke intersperses humorous and often bizarre monologues with vocal and instrumental selections from throughout his career, played solo on six and twelve string guitars.