Bob Ostertag

Born April 19, 1957 in Albuquerque, Ostertag has been prominent in experimental music circles for his use of sampling and tape manipulation and his building of custom electronic instruments.He took a break from his involvement in the late 1970s New York City improv scene to become active with ongoing political crises in Central America during the Reagan years, living for a while in El Salvador and posting on the spot journalism to major print outlets.He has become a contributor to film through his collaboration with fellow musician Fred Frith, his writing on the Yes Men group, and his participation, since relocating to San Francisco, with the AIDS activist movement.He has also been a kayak instructor and a teacher at UC Davis as well as the author of several books.