Guitarist, sound sculptor, composer.
Willie Oteri is an anomaly in the music world having survived a tragedy that forced him to quit music as a profession in his early 30s. After nearly ten years from performing, Oteri came back to music, first part time then full, older, wiser, but as eager and excited as any 20 something to have a chance at a life of music. With a small budget he released two well received blues/rock albums in the late ‘90s before moving to Austin Texas where he quickly befriended some of Austin’s top Jazz and Rock musicians leading to the 2000 release of Jazz Gunn aka MateMaToot. Wanting to further pursue the freedom of electric Jazz Oteri contracted producer Ronan Chris Muryphy (King Crimson, Chucho Valdes ) to produce Spiral Out (2003-2005) a progressive jazz album featuring King Crimson and Zappa alums Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto and Mike Keneally with the added help of Austin trumpeter Ephraim Owens. This well received DIW release led to touring Europe and Japan. Oteri relocated to Italy in 2003. After spending nearly 4 years in Italy as a base Oteri returned to Austin and working with trumpeter Dave Laczko released WD-41 (2009) and WD-41+2 Temi Per Cinema (2010) with added musicians Dino J.A. Deane and Scott Amendola.
Willie Oteri has collaborated and performed with Dino J.A. Deane, Scott Amendola, Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, John Lennon), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, XTC), Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa), Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel), Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani, SteveVai) and others including Ronan Chris Murphy (producer and musician), Brannen Temple (Sheena Easton, Kevin Paige, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson), bassist Chris Maresh (Eric Johnson, Abra Moore, Mitch Watkins), Mike Malone (Jimmy Smith), Ephraim Owens (Erika Badu), Takaharu Hayakawa, Natsuki Kido, Markus Reuter and many more. The breadth of such performing and recording situations is a testament to his musical versatility and talent. In recent years, it is Oteri's role as composer and band leader which has garnered him increasing notoriety coupled with a notable unique style on guitar.
