About Me
The son of one of Cuba’s most legendary guitarists, Octavio Kotan’s remarkable career reflects the richness of the three cities he has made home during his lifetime: Havana, Madrid, and currently, New York City. While in Cuba, Octavio played and arranged for many of the most influential bands on the island, including Los Van Van, Irakere, Tropicana Orchestra, Silvio Rodriguez, Orquesta de Benny More, NG La Banda and Isaac Delgado. He was also an original member of one of Cuba’s first groundbreaking "Timba" style bands led by Octavio and his father, legendary guitarist Cotán. After moving to Spain, Octavio played and arranged for such artists as Omara Portuondo, Chavela Vargas, Rosana, Juan Carlos Calderon, Joaquin Sabina, Massiel, and fellow Cubans Gema y Pavel and Habana Abierta, to name a few. Since moving to New York, he became a member of Andy Gonzalez’s Orchestra Libre, arranged and played for Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Big Band, and has recently been touring with Bebo Valdes’ All Star Latin Big Band. He has recorded and/or performed along Angelo Badalementi, Dave Valentin, Tego Calderon, etc. Kotan is currrently the arranger and guitarist in legenday Cuban singer, Xiomara Laugart's band.Octavio is also the composer of most of New York latin jazz power trio Overproof’s repertoire. Overproof is a latin jazz-based power trio formed as a collective by drummer Robby Ameen with Cuban Octavio Kotan on guitar and Nuyorican Ruben Rodriguez on bass. Their debut recording, "3 Guys Walk Into A Bar" (EWE/Sonifolk) keeps receiving rave reviews. The band incorporates timba, rock, jazz, and funk elements into one hard-hitting sound which is truly unique in today’s ever growing eclectic world of music. Overproof has a unique and original sound due to its power trio format in the tradition of bands such as “Cream†or “The Jimi Hendrix Experienceâ€, but with the clave of latin jazz. Latin Beat magazine gave it its “ Pick of the Month CD†in its October 2006 issue and says about Kotan and Overproof: “…This is one of those rare CDs that only comes along every couple of years, that gives one goose bumps on the first spin…explosive and unpredictable compositions rock the listener from beginning to end…with Kotan's colorful, lyrical and surrealist interpretations†Following their recent successful tour of Spain which included sold-out appearances at the Barcelona and Madrid International Jazz Festivals, Overproof is ready to hit all major venues and festivals with their powerful and original sound.Octavio Kotan is also an excellent composer and arranger, famed session musician and incredible guitar maestro. He has been offering his services as guitar teacher for many years and is available for any kind of recordings, film soundtracks, master classes, clinics, workshops, but above all, a really good laugh!!It's no coincidence that someone said of Kotan once: "...he is the missing link between Leo Brouwer and Jimi Hendrix.."
