About

About Otto Koch Jazz

Otto's love of music was instilled by his family at a young age, whether it was singing around the piano during holidays, to his mother’s accompaniment, or playing Rock and Folk with his brothers, it's where Otto first developed his passion for learning and performing.

He’s an accomplished jazz pianist who was trained at the prestigious Berkeley College of Music. Otto has played in public for more than 50 years; first in the Boston area and then in diverse locations in Colorado ranging from Denver to Telluride; mostly around Boulder County. Otto has been influenced by many styles of music from the past to the present including jazz, blues, folk, pop, ragtime, classical and avant guard. Some of the pianists that Otto has been influenced by are Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Fats Waller and Jelly Roll Morton.

He loves to play with other musicians and share fantastic stories about those both local and world famous. You might hear Otto playing at a local restaurant, coffee shop, private party or Jazz Festival.

Resume:

• BA Berklee College of Music 1970
• Active in the Boston area 1965 to 1971 various bands and teaching music
• Moved to Boulder 1971
• Taught piano 1971-1979
• Active 1971 to present playing in a variety of styles primarily Jazz but also blues, rock and roll, and funk.
• Performed at the Telluride Jazz Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival and more recently at the Salida Jazz Fest.
• Written music and performed with the Helander Dance Theatre.