Tony Kaltenberg: Home
"SOMETIMES ... BUT NOT OFTEN, MUSIC CAN TRANSPORT YOU TO UNKNOWN PLACES OF WONDER, LIFT THE SPIRIT, AND JUST MAKE YOU FEEL SO DAMN GOOD YOU COULD BURST."
- Stu Gilbert (CDBaby customer of TK's Music)
... From the wild and misty Oregon coast speaks a powerful voice for the mystical guitar tradition, with roots extending back through the innovative works of Fahey, Kottke & Hedges.
Tony Kaltenberg's mesmerizing percussive style has been highlighted on radio programs and performances in diverse parts of the world, from large festivals like 'Northwest Folklife' in Seattle and 'The Oregon Country Fair', to intimate venues in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
In 2000 he released his first CD, "Spiral Waves", an exciting collection of solo guitar sounds, from sweet, warm finger-styles, to deep, percussive string slaps. On his second CD, "On the Wing of the Great Spaceship" (2004), Tony blends his enchantment of the guitar strings with other instruments, featuring the amazing Michael Manring on fretless bass and the gifted Alex Kelly on cello. Tony is currently working on his third CD, "Thread of Joy" (2008), which will again feature ensembles including Michael Manring on bass, Jarrod Kaplan on percussion, Joe Craven on violin, mandolin and percussion (on various things lying around the studio), among other ear candy. It will be a journey celebrating everything from musical calmness of breath to musical ecstasy, reflecting the enthusiasm in life.
Although TK shares unique renditions with fair regularity when he performs, he sticks mostly to originals. They are reflections of his surroundings, the people in his life, the ocean where he lives, the yogic lifestyle - music from the core. They are collections of sounds, both very distinctive yet somehow familiar, full of inspiration from all of his musical gurus, from Hendrix to Segovia.
As a performer, Tony dances the shapes his fingers play, grooving around the stage as he coaxes innovative textures and explosive emotions from his guitar. He slaps the wood a bit, bangs on the strings and teases us with some velvety tenor vocals. He rarely sits unless he has some serious finger-picking to do, and even then it's not for long. ("I love watching him play. He gets his whole body into it. He can come back anytime and share his wonderful gift." - Sherylin Rawlins - 'Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat Center')