Ottmar Liebert to spice up the night

NEWTON — Grammy nominated artist Ottmar Liebert has perfected his craft for more that a quarter century and he will be showing it off when he performs at the Newton Theatre on Sunday.

The tour, which started June 1 in Virginia, is something that Liebert was looking forward to.

"I enjoy touring," he explained. "I like the band and that is what makes it enjoyable."

Liebert is 59 and released his debut album, Nouveau Flamenco, in 1990. He has been touring ever since and when in the region he does have a few things he likes to do.

"Whenever I am in that area, and near Manhattan, I go to the MOMA [Museum of Modern Art]. There are a few other places in the area that I visit as well," he said. "It doesn't happen often though. When on tour we are on a bus for five or six weeks and we get on the bus after the show and go to sleep and wake up in a different city."

This tour follows the release of Liebert's 2012 album Dune but Liebert wouldn't call the tour promotion for the album.

“Albums aren’t selling much nowadays, so tours aren’t for specific albums. You tour to make money,” he said.

Liebert is very happy with the music though.

“I am quite proud of this album. I think it has a great sound. We used an accordion for the first time on this one,” he said. “I am already working on the next one. We are working with rai, a folk music from Algeria.”

Liebert tours as part of a quartet with the band Luna Negra.

“The gentleman that plays the accordion on the recording couldn’t tour with us,” said Liebert. “We replaced that with a trumpet for the live show. An accordion gets its sound from the bellows used to play the instrument. With a trumpet, the bellows are the lungs.”

The band itself has been touring with Liebert for quite some time.

“We are pretty versatile when we play together because we have been touring together since 1989,” he said.

The album features Liebert on acoustic and electric guitars; Jon Gagan on acoustic upright bass, electric bass guitars, and keyboards, including clarinet; Char Rothschild on accordion and Robby Rothschild on percussion.

As far as what to expect at the show? Liebert summed it up pretty succinctly.

“We play actual music. There are no machines, no lasers, no costume changes. We just play music.”

For more information on Liebert or to listen to his music visit ottmarliebert.com.