Oteil Burbridge (Allman Bros., Tedeschi-Trucks)
Courtesy of Oteil Burbridge Com
He is a virtuoso of the instrument, and among of the elite players in the jam band / improvisational fusion (jazz / funk / world) sub-genres. Oteil Burbridge started off as so many bass player do, on drums!
Recognizing his multi-faceted musical talents, Oteil’s mom encouraged her son (whose name translates as “explorer”) to investigate additional instruments including violin and trumpet. Honing his chops in his native Washington D.C. club circuit, Burbridge garnered national attention aplenty as the anchor of the experimental Aquarium Rescue Unit – an ensemble which featured members of jam-band giants Phish, Phil Lesh & Friends, and Blues Traveler among others.
Burbridge took over the Allmans bass chair in 1997 following the departure of Allen Woody. He waxed the band’s final studio slab – the underrated Hittin’ the Note (2003) wherein he worked the five string and appeared and numerous live sets. To my ears, Burbridge’s work with the Brothers echoed Berry Oakley as Oteil was given to working the pocket which occasional upper register flourishes. Burbridge also took an occasional lead vocal with the band.
Among Oteil’s high-profile collaborations included Dead & Company helmed with Grateful alumnae Bob Weir, Billy Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart along with John Mayer. He also joined founding drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johnny Johnson in Les Brers. Burbridge also served as the harmonic and rhythmic anchor of the Tedeschi Trucks band – which garnered a Grammy as for Best Blues Album in in 2012 for Revelator.
Burbridge has recorded under his own name and as a bandleader – Oteil Burbridge and The Peacemakers. Among his notable session credits include Gregg Allman, Warren Hayes, Herbie Hancock, and The Zac Brown Band.
Oteil has been cited by this writer in Huffington Post for his tenure in the final incarnations of the Allman Bros. Band as deserving of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honors with Lamar Williams, David Goldflies, and Allen Woody. 11 More Bass Players Who Belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2016) Link: https://bit.ly/2EZx1Lf
A truly diverse and prolific cat – keep up with Oteil at www.OteilBurbridge.com – gear heads be advised to check out OB’s extensive collection of basses – ranging from the trad-for to the six string…
Oteil Burbridge Sound & Vision…
Aquarium Rescue Unit: Live at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival 1996: https://youtu.be/lzxVxC5kLMQ
Allman Brothers: “Instrumental Illness” https://youtu.be/Z1_6HPpTuuU
Dead & Company “Comes a Time” with Oteil on lead vocal https://youtu.be/-zHpenigs3k
Tedeschi Trucks Band “Midnight in Harlem” https://youtu.be/K1J04ugcdi8
Les Brers “Every Hungry Woman” https://youtu.be/zOhYD5TfUrM
Oteil & The Peacemakers “Subterranea” https://youtu.be/zOhYD5TfUrM
