Chris Otto

Chris Otto’s music is sometimes mellow, sometimes upbeat,
and often experimental, but at it's heart, it is the natural beauty of
the Native American Flute that holds it all together. Influenced by
folk traditions from Eastern Europe, the Middle East,
Scandinavia, the Andes and Native Americans, Chris blends
these sounds in a unique style of play . Experimental rock
and the blues were influences during his formative years; those
styles find their way into his music as well. Chris has been
playing the Native American Flute for more than 12 years.
Chris hopes to bring NAF music to new audiences and bring
the instrument to new genres of music. He is known as the flute/
whistle player for the popular St. Louis Irish Folk/Rock band
"Rusty Nail", but it was the Native American Flute that first
inspired him to perform and record music. He has played with
experimental rock bands and jazz musicians in the St. Louis area
and was a founding member of a percussion based world music
jam band, "The Raw Earth Experience".
His early love of music lead him to try a number of
instruments in his search for musical expression. Playing
trombone, piano, and harmonica gave Chris an appreciation of
many forms of music, but none of them spoke through him.
When he discovered the Native American Flute he knew he had
found his voice. Chris says, "The music is there in the flutes, you
just have to let it out”.
After years of live performances, Chris has released his first
full length CD, "Rain on Broken Glass". Five years in the
making, it was a true labor of love. The CD pays homage to
traditional NAF music while reflecting influences from World
Music to the Blues. Chris' music represents a new voice for the
Native American Flute.