About Otis.......

Otis Mack had his first band in the late 60’s early 70’s. They were influenced by American Soul artists, and gathered a fair reputation in the Midlands/ South west region. They won a number of Talent Contests as semi-professional artists, and were spotted by a London Agent and Club owner who offered them a professional contract to play in Germany. He was particularly interested in Otis’ “black sounding” voice.

Incredibly,for personal reasons Otis quit the business and spent the next 24 years without performing at all.

Otis by chance bumped into some musicians at a jam night in his adopted hometown of Cheltenham, U.K. They persuaded him to get up and sing a couple of songs. It was clear that he had lost none of his soul and blues feel, and brought the house down. He continued to appear for fun at this weekly jam night where he was christened with the nickname “Otis” by fellow musicians, in recognition of his rendition of the old Otis Redding classic songs. He also gathered a well-deserved reputation for his mastery of the blues harp [harmonica], and is recognised as one of the Country's leading exponents on this instrument.

He decided to form his own semi-professional Band in 1995. They were made up of ex- professional musicians and session players. They started to have immediate success on the local scene, and were soon playing several times a week.

The venues at which the Band were playing however were all seeming to suffer from economic pressures and many ceased to promote local band music because of the cost.

Some chose to book single and duo artists to save money. In this climate most of the Bands work centred on larger clubs and a lucrative new market in private parties.

Otis’ unique vocal style and entertaining front of house patter was able to turn sedate parties into wild affairs, and more and more party work began to arrive.

In February 2000, Otis made the difficult decision to give up his main career as the Engineering Director of an American Dental Company, and turn fully professional as a Solo and band artist.

Today Otis works mainly with his band THE TUBBY BLUESTERS [see separate page and click this link below for more information].

As a Solo artist and with his 5 piece and 10 piece bands, he mainly performs at private parties. He also appears regularly at various public venues, He has been christened with another nickname “ Mr. Entertainment”, arising from his ability to excite audiences and encourage active participation. He performs a wide range of material from Nat king Cole on the one hand via Frank Sinatra,Ray Charles, Tom Jones and you just have to hear his impression of Tina Turner. Add in his favourite R&B/Blues Classics and finish off with those well-known foot -tapping anthems and sing-a-longs in his own unique style to professionally recorded backing tracks, and you have the Menu for a thoroughly entertaining event.

Combine the music style and atmosphere with the ambience of many of the venues, you will be in for a great evening

If you have the opportunity to see this guy perform, I would recommend that you take it. You won’t be disappointed!

A personal review by John Rodger.