Biography
During his high school years Ozzie Ahlers devoted far more attention to music than academics, later enrolling at Cornell University only to depart when the pull of performance proved irresistible. He formed the band Glory River and secured a recording deal through Jimi Hendrix’s label, yet Hendrix’s death prompted a pivot toward sideman work. Ahlers served first as pianist for Van Morrison, then contributed songs and piano to Jesse Colin Young’s projects, and spent three years alongside Jerry Garcia. In 1980 he received a Cannes Film Festival Award for his score to Northern Lights. Raised in Summit, New Jersey, he later settled in California’s Marin County and toured with Clarence Clemons, Greg Kihn, and additional artists while fronting the reggae-tinged rock outfit the Edge, whose several California releases gained regional traction.
After the Cannes honor Ahlers continued scoring films; Art Clokey, creator of the Gumby character, commissioned three tracks for Gumby, the Movie and Ahlers recruited longtime friend Craig Chaquico of Jefferson Starship to supply guitar. The collaboration led Chaquico to enlist Ahlers as co-writer and co-producer on his Higher Octave Music debut, Acoustic Highway. Billboard Magazine named the album its top Independent New Age release of the year; it remained on the charts for 24 months and captured a Bay Area Music Award, or Bammie. Ahlers next assisted on Acoustic Planet, which displaced Yanni from the summit position in 1994, earned another Bammie, and received a Grammy nomination. The following year Ahlers and Chaquico joined Warren Hill, Peter White, and Richard Elliot for a national tour. San Francisco’s Hearing Education and Awareness (H.E.A.R.) Foundation recognized Ahlers as Artist of the Year. He issued the solo album Fingerpainting while maintaining his role on subsequent Chaquico projects and also wrote or produced material for James Michael Joseph, Ray Silkman, and Jimmy Dillon.
After the Cannes honor Ahlers continued scoring films; Art Clokey, creator of the Gumby character, commissioned three tracks for Gumby, the Movie and Ahlers recruited longtime friend Craig Chaquico of Jefferson Starship to supply guitar. The collaboration led Chaquico to enlist Ahlers as co-writer and co-producer on his Higher Octave Music debut, Acoustic Highway. Billboard Magazine named the album its top Independent New Age release of the year; it remained on the charts for 24 months and captured a Bay Area Music Award, or Bammie. Ahlers next assisted on Acoustic Planet, which displaced Yanni from the summit position in 1994, earned another Bammie, and received a Grammy nomination. The following year Ahlers and Chaquico joined Warren Hill, Peter White, and Richard Elliot for a national tour. San Francisco’s Hearing Education and Awareness (H.E.A.R.) Foundation recognized Ahlers as Artist of the Year. He issued the solo album Fingerpainting while maintaining his role on subsequent Chaquico projects and also wrote or produced material for James Michael Joseph, Ray Silkman, and Jimmy Dillon.
Albums