Christo's Novelty Combo

Christo Ruppenthal's Novelty Combo

"Hot Hawaiian guitar meets Jazz à la Django!"

Christo's Novelty Combo presents a unique mixture of the Vaudeville era, novelty and jazz-infused hot steel guitar and ukulele of the 1920s and 30s "Hawaiian Craze," and the swinging sounds of French, Django Reinhardt-style small group swing jazz from the 1930s and 40s. Think Hot Hawaiian guitar meets Jazz à la Django! 

Much of the Combo's repertoire comes from Christo's “Antique Aloha” series of solo recordings and his all original "Café Alongé" release. They also showcase a wide variety of exciting guitar and steel guitar centered jazz standards. They present that repertoire in high-energy eclectic shows. During concert performances Christo peppers in historical information about the vintage music presented and its huge impact on American and European popular music at the time to give it context.

Christo has had extensive performance experience in many settings including large music festivals, concert series, night club gigs, and private events. His Combo is equally as comfortable on the main stage as is is in an intimate living room house concert. Their unique sound is always met with rave reviews!

Christo's Novelty Combo can offer a full set of exciting highly varied string music, a set of classic Hawaiian repertoire perfect for your next backyard luau, or a set of high class jazz that's perfect for parties and events! 

Christo Ruppenthal - Steel Guitar, Jazz Guitar, and Ukulele
Gian Compuesto - Jazz Guitar
Forrest Evans - Upright Bass

Past Performance Highlights 
Baraboo Concerts on the Square - Baraboo, WI
Midwest Fire Festival - Cambridge, WI
Memorial Union Terrace - Madison, WI
Monroe Arts Center Concert Series - Monroe, WI 
Concerts On The Creek - Rockford, IL
World Dairy Expo - Madison, WI 
Strollin' Middleton Jazz Fest - Middleton, WI 
Neenah Public Library Concert Series - Neenah, WI 
Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest - Fitchburg, WI 
Hüpeden's Painted Forest Concerts - Reedsburg, WI 
Sugar Maple Concert Series - Madison, WI 
Inscape Collective Concerts - Rockford, IL

Check Christo's Performance Calendar for Novelty Combo gig dates!

"The highlight of Make Music Madison 2021 for me was seeing Christo's Novelty Combo playing on the balcony of Bob Queen's house on Clemons Street. Chris' usual sharp guitar work was wonderfully supported in the new trio, particularly the bass player who took many engaging solos. Looking forward to hearing more from this band."  Terry O' - Diaspora

Django Reinhardt's Nuages on National Steel Guitar!

Django Reinhardt's "Nuages" on steel guitar from our gig at "Concerts On The Creek" (Rockford, IL)

Concerts On The Creek - 2022

Christo's Novelty Combo

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Concerts On The Creek - 2022

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Christo's Novelty Combo was invited to perform as a part of the 2022 "Concerts On The Creek" concert series in Rockford, Illinois. We're offering a recording of the performance, and you can pay what you want for the music. Any level of support is most appreciated!

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    Hilo March

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    Nuages

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    Café Allongé

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    Don't Sing Aloha When I Go

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    Maui Nō Ka 'Oi

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    Tango Innominado

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Christo's Novelty Combo "Nā Lei O Hawaiʻi"

Christo's Novelty Combo "Hot String Swing"