Christo Ruppenthal

Christo Ruppenthal is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and music entrepreneur whose professional career started in 2003.  He presents a unique mixture of Vaudeville-era novelty infused hot steel guitar playing from the 1920s and 30s "Hawaiian Craze" as well as the swinging sounds of Django Reinhardt’s 1930s and 40s guitar-driven Hot Club jazz. Think “Hot Hawaiian guitar meets Jazz à la Django!” Christo is an avid recording artist and performer with thousands of gigs both across the U.S. and internationally to his credit.

Christo has released multiple records under his own name. Café Allongé showcases both his musicianship and arranging skills on his original compositions. And his Antique Aloha series of releases is inspired by some of his favorite Hawaiian inspired 78 RPM records from the Golden Age of Hawaiian Music.

He has also been involved in many recording sessions for bands he leads and other projects. Christo’s Hot String Swing Records label releases with Caravan have charted nationally in the top 20 for Jazz radio airplay. They have also been included in numerous compilations and playlists, including Spotify's official "Hot Club Swing" list, which has resulted in millions of streams. His recordings have been featured on soundtracks in films, TV shows, YouTube shorts, and in ads. Christo has also had opportunities to add his guitar and steel guitar sounds to popular releases by other bands. 

Besides being a band leader and performer, Christo owns AntiquiTone Vintage Guitars, Hot String Swing Records, and the DjangoShirts clothing line. He is also currently serving as president of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association (HSGA), a mainland club and worldwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promoting Hawaiian music and its signature sound, the Hawaiian steel guitar.

Since the beginning of his career Christo has had extensive performance experience. His music has taken him across the United States and as far away from home as Bangalore, India! His groups have performed with rave reviews in many settings including large music festivals, concerts, performing arts theaters, and night clubs. He is as as comfortable on the festival stage as he is at an intimate living room house concert.