Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel]

Fritz Schulz-Reichel (July 4, 1912 – February 14, 1990) was a German jazz and pop pianist.

Schulz-Reichel was born in Meiningen. His father was a classical musician, and he began playing piano at the age of six. He developed an unusual technique where he played the melody of a tune with the left hand and the rhythm with the right hand.

While he trained to be a concert pianist, he chose a career in pop music, playing light jazz and pop tunes. He invented a device called the Tipsy Wire Box, which could be attached to a piano to make it sound like an out-of-tune barrelhouse upright. (Another interpretation is that "Tipsy Wire Box" was a slang expression for the piano itself, which was merely "detuned"; that is, one of the three strings that make up each note of the main section of the piano is slightly flatted, giving the piano the characteristic sound.)

In 1953 he adopted the moniker Schräger Otto (Crazy Otto), and recorded for Deutsche Grammophon. His tunes became hits in Germany, France, England, and America; his albums were released on Decca and MGM in the U.S. and Polydor which were distributed by Philips Electrical Industries Pty. Limited in Australia. In 1955, American musician Johnny Maddox played a medley of his songs, entitled "The Crazy Otto Medley"; this went to #2 on the U.S. charts, and in the U.S. both Reichel and Maddox were subsequently known as "Crazy Otto", to some confusion.

Schulz-Reichel continued to perform live and on film, and remained a popular jazz favorite in Germany for many years.

"Crazy Otto" is referenced in the song "Ramble on Rose" written by Robert Hunter and performed by the Grateful Dead.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 4, 1912 (Meiningen), Died February 14, 1990 (Berlin)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1954 - 1961

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 76-86 of 86 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca DGG 2033098 1958 How deep is the ocean Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 2033099 12/30/1958 Because of you Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 2033734 12/30/1958 For sentimental Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 2033735 12/30/1958 Deep purple Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 3033099 12/30/1958 I can't give you anything but love Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 3033734 12/30/1958 Sur le pont d'Avignon Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 3033735 12/30/1958 Cheek to cheek Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 4033098 12/30/1958 Arrivederci Roma Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 4033099 12/30/1958 Always Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 5033099 12/30/1958 Perfidia Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 6033098 12/30/1958 Kiss of fire Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 76-86 of 86 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel]," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310135.

Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel]. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310135.

"Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel]." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310135

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.