What's Happening in Cincinnati, OH…

A guitarist who was influenced by a variety of musical genres is coming to Cincinnati in May.

Leo Kottke is a native of Athens, Georgia, whose parents relocated so often he lived in 12 different states. During the time the family lived in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he was strongly influenced by delta blues and folk music, especially the blues of Mississippi John Hurt.

He wound up in the Twin Cities early in the 1960s, playing gigs at the Scholar Coffeehouse in Minneapolis, where John Koerner and Bob Dylan had appeared. He dropped his debut recording in 1968, releasing “Twelve String Blues” on Oblivion, the Scholar’s label.

He released “Mudlark” with Capitol Records in 1971, making his debut on a major label. He had great success on Capitol, releasing albums like “Ice Water,” and “Greenhouse,” working with outstanding musicians and sharpening his technique.

In 1975, he released “Chewing Pine,” which made it into the Top 30 in the U.S., and made him an international star, touring Australia and Europe. He has now released an extensive body of work including studio albums, compilations, and soundtracks. His most recent release was 2020’s compilation “Noon,“ with Mike Gordon.

Kottke has numerous awards and nominations, including two Grammys, and, unusually, a Certificate of Significant Achievement in Not Playing the Trombone, awarded by the University of Texas.

Leo Kottke will be at the Ludlow Garage on May 19. Events like this can benefit from the publicity created by organizers using poster printing.