Christo's Novelty Combo Demos
Christo's Novelty Combo
Check out some "Hot Hawaiian guitar and Jazz à la Django" by Christo's Novelty Combo!
Christo's Novelty Combo
"Hot Hawaiian lap steel guitar and Jazz à la Django!"
Chris “Christo” Ruppenthal is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and veteran performer. He brings a distinctive blend of early Hawaiian lap steel guitar, jazz guitar, and ukulele, drawing inspiration from international music, vaudeville, the Jazz Age, and Django Reinhardt’s Hot Club jazz.
Rooted in the sounds of the 1910s–1940s, Christo creates an energetic, historically inspired performance that feels both authentic and fresh. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, he has performed thousands of shows throughout the U.S. and internationally, including appearances in Bangalore, India; Waikiki, HI; Austin, TX; throughout California; and beyond.
His Novelty Combo showcases a wide variety of steel guitar centered Hawaiian material, jazz standards, and global music presented in a high-energy way. Much of their repertoire comes from Christo's “Antique Aloha” series of solo recordings and his all original "Café Allongé" release. During concert performances Christo peppers in historical information about the vintage music presented and its giant impact on American and European popular music at the time to give it context.
Christo's groups have had extensive performance experience in many settings. These include large music festivals, outdoor concert series, nightclub gigs, and various private events. His Novelty Combo is equally as comfortable on the main stage as it is in an intimate living room house concert. Their unique and energetic sound is always met with rave reviews!
Christo's Novelty Combo can offer a concert of exciting highly varied early string music, a showcase of classic Hawaiian repertoire perfect for your next backyard luau, or sets of high class jazz that's perfect for parties and events!
During Novelty Combo appearances, Christo is typically accompanied by Gian Compuesto on rhythm guitar and Forrest Evans on upright bass.
Featured Past Performance Highlights
Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week and Festival - Waikīkī, HI
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival Santa Cruz (2026), San Francisco (2024), San Jose (2023), Cupertino (2022), CA
The Ark (Ann Arbor Django Fest) - Ann Arbor, MI
Aloha International Steel Guitar Festival - Winchester, ID
Austin Steel Guitar Fest (ASGF) - Austin, TX
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association Fest - Fort Collins, CO
Concerts On The Creek - Rockford, IL
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Assoc. Festival - Waikīkī, HI(2025)
Portage Center for the Arts - Portage, WI
Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest - Fitchburg, WI
Baraboo Concerts on the Square - Baraboo, WI
Monroe Arts Center Concert Series - Monroe, WI
Strollin' Middleton Jazz Fest - Middleton, WI
Neenah Public Library Concert Series - Neenah, WI
Check Christo's Performance Calendar for Novelty Combo gig dates!
The band playing my original song "Kilka's Mele"
"Moana Chimes" at Slowpoke Lounge (Spring Green, WI)
Django Reinhardt's "Nuages" at Concerts on the Creek (Rockford, IL)
Christo's Novelty Combo was invited to perform as a part of the 2022 "Concerts On The Creek" concert series in Rockford, Illinois.
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Hilo March 2:550:00/2:55
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Kilika's Mele 4:190:00/4:19
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Nuages 5:200:00/5:20
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Maui Nō Ka 'Oi 3:120:00/3:12
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0:00/3:42