Win Tickets ($90): Grammy Nominee Leo Kottke @ Aladdin Theater | Americana, Folk

We are giving away a pair of tickets to Leo Kottke @ Aladdin Theater on July 26. To win, comment below on this post why you’d like to attend. Winner will be drawn and emailed July 17.



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From our sponsors:
Leo Kottke
July 26, 2023
Doors 7PM, Show 8PM | $45 | All Ages
More info: event.etix.com

Aladdin Theater
3017 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke was born in Athens, Georgia, but left town after a year and a half. Raised in 12 different states, he absorbed a variety of musical influences as a child, flirting with both violin and trombone, before abandoning Stravinsky for the guitar at age 11.

After adding a love for the country-blues of Mississippi John Hurt to the music of John Phillip Sousa and Preston Epps, Kottke joined the Navy underage, to be underwater, and eventually lost some hearing shooting at lightbulbs in the Atlantic while serving on the USS Halfbeak, a diesel submarine.

Kottke had previously entered college at the U of Missouri, dropping out after a year to hitchhike across the country to South Carolina, then to New London and into the Navy, with his twelve string. “The trip was not something I enjoyed,” he has said, “I was broke and met too many interesting people.”

Discharged in 1964, he settled in the Twin Cities area and became a fixture at Minneapolis’ Scholar Coffeehouse, which had been home to Bob Dylan and John Koerner. He issued his 1968 recording debut LP Twelve String Blues, recorded on a Viking quarter-inch tape recorder, for the Scholar’s tiny Oblivion label. (The label released one other LP by The Langston Hughes Memorial Eclectic Jazz Band.)

After sending tapes to guitarist John Fahey, Kottke was signed to Fahey’s Takoma label, releasing what has come to be called the Armadillo record. Fahey and his manager Denny Bruce soon secured a production deal for Kottke with Capitol Records.

Kottke’s 1971 major-label debut, “Mudlark,” positioned him somewhat uneasily in the singer/songwriter vein, despite his own wishes to remain an instrumental performer. Still, despite arguments with label heads as well as with Bruce, Kottke flourished during his tenure on Capitol, as records like 1972’s “Greenhouse” and 1973’s live “My Feet Are Smiling” and “Ice Water” found him branching out with guest musicians and honing his guitar technique.

With 1975’s Chewing Pine, Kottke reached the U.S. Top 30 for the second time; he also gained an international following thanks to his continuing tours in Europe and Australia.

His collaboration with Phish bassist Mike Gordon, “Clone,” caught audiences’ attention in 2002. Kottke and Gordon followed with a recording in the Bahamas called “Sixty Six Steps,” produced by Leo’s old friend and Prince producer David Z.

Kottke has been awarded two Grammy nominations; a Doctorate in Music Performance by the Peck School of Music at the U of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; and a Certificate of Significant Achievement in Not Playing the Trombone from the U of Texas at Brownsville with Texas Southmost College.

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13 Comments

  1. Kim C. on July 5, 2023 at 12:38 pm

    Looks like such a great concert!

  2. Marie Bouvier on July 5, 2023 at 12:51 pm

    My friend Michael has been telling me about Leo Kottke for years! Would love the chance to see him in person. Thanks!

  3. Maggie on July 5, 2023 at 1:33 pm

    Leo is a true legend and I would love to see him live!

  4. Anna on July 5, 2023 at 7:58 pm

    I grew up hearing Kottke — his records were frequently included in my Dad’s music rotation. I’m sure to appreciate Kottke’s playing even more now.

  5. Charlie Y. on July 5, 2023 at 8:52 pm

    I have recommended to several budding guitar players that they listen to Leo’s music. He’s been an inspiration of mine over many years.

  6. Jake J on July 5, 2023 at 9:07 pm

    I’d love to go!

  7. Joe Trekas on July 6, 2023 at 6:15 pm

    He’s been around a long time. Would love to go see him.

  8. Karen C on July 8, 2023 at 10:45 am

    Yes please!

  9. Julie Richardson on July 8, 2023 at 5:32 pm

    I’ve followed Leo Kottke for decades!

  10. Jason Wilcox on July 9, 2023 at 9:30 am

    Kottke is a childhood fave I’ve long admired and would be stoked to have get to meet me!

  11. Peter on July 11, 2023 at 12:39 pm

    Would love to go!

  12. Carole Whitmore on July 11, 2023 at 12:54 pm

    Dude, It’s Leo K 🎶🤗
    I’m old, but not dead ..😆 …don’t go to see much music unless it’s like THIS.
    I love The venue, The Aladdin , and love Leo.
    I am also a Leo (astrological sign) and it just stands to reason this could be my birthday present (68) ✨🦁
    Thanks for considering 💛

    • Stephen Mahoney on July 14, 2023 at 8:55 pm

      I saw him at borders books some years ago but have never seen a full show of his. I love that style of acoustic guitar that he plays

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