Bernd K. Otto

Bernd K. Otto, born on September 19, 1947, in Hanover, Germany, is a German jazz musician renowned for his skills as a banjo and guitar player, as well as an author. Otto's multifaceted career encompasses both music and literature. His journey in music began in 1967, shortly after completing his Abitur at the Freiherr-vom-Stein-Schule. He pursued higher education at Goethe University in Frankfurt, specializing in teaching for secondary and secondary schools, with subjects including education, biology, and art education. Otto's dedication to education led him to become a teacher at the Wall school, a special school for children with learning difficulties, in Frankfurt am Main, where he worked from 1972 until his retirement in 2001. Bernd K. Otto's musical talent emerged at a young age when he received his first banjo at the age of 16. He embarked on a journey of self-discovery and taught himself to play the banjo, showcasing his autodidactic approach to music. In 1965, he expanded his musical horizons by taking jazz lessons from notable musicians such as Carlo Bohländer and Emil Mangelsdorff. From 1975 to 1995, Otto became a valued member of the Frankfurt Barrelhouse Jazz Band, a significant ensemble in the traditional jazz scene. His contributions as a banjo and guitar player enriched the band's performances, leading to extensive tours across 30 countries and numerous record productions. In 1980, Bernd K. Otto founded Jazz Classics, a musical ensemble that further demonstrated his versatility and dedication to jazz. This group produced two albums, showcasing Otto's role as a bandleader. In addition to his musical pursuits, Otto served as an editor for the journal Banjo Podium, which he co-edited with Uli Heier from 1984 to 2002. His passion for music extended to his interests in Photographica, particularly collecting photo cameras, accessories, and documents, with a focus on Carl Zeiss and its subsidiaries. Bernd K. Otto's contributions to the world of traditional jazz include collaborations with renowned musicians such as Harold Ashby, Chris Barber, Jimmy McPartland, Paul Kuhn, Gustl Mayer, and Bill Ramsey. According to discographer Tom Lord, he participated in 55 recording sessions between 1975 and 1994. Beyond music and photography, Otto documented the works of artist Anselm Kiefer during a specific period and produced Kiefer's first book, "Die Donauquelle," from 1976 to 1978. Bernd K. Otto's diverse interests and talents have made him a notable figure in both the jazz and photography communities. His dedication to music education, his contributions as a musician, and his scholarly pursuits in photography and literature have left a lasting impact on various artistic and intellectual spheres.