Christo Ruppenthal

On the main stage at Farm Block in Allouez, MI!

Djangophonique is an award winning project that delivers the infectious joy, and expressive freedom that is at the heart of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche. With respect for the tradition and a fearless creativity that bends the conventions of the style, Djangophonique is keeping the Hot Club revival alive and well. The result is a sound that’s unmistakable to fans of the music, and alluring to the uninitiated—a sound that can bring the lively energy of a Parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room or captivate a buzzing festival audience with the aching nostalgia of a shimmering ballad.

Christo's Novelty Combo 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. 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.Think “Hot Hawaiian guitar meets Jazz à la Django!"

On these special Djangophonique + Christo's Novelty Combo tour routes and concerts, Andrew Brown and Katie Smith of Djangophonique (Ann Arbor, MI) are joined by Christo Ruppenthal and Forrest Evans of Christo’s Novelty Combo (Madison, WI). Together, they explore classics of Django Reinhardt's Hot Club swing sound and the American standard songbook, perform feature guitar and steel guitar instrumental pieces, and present some exciting examples of fused repertoire that you won't hear elsewhere! 

This unique quartet has been received extremely well in historic theatres, large outdoor concert series, festivals, and at sold out nightclub concerts. More tours and concert bookings are currently in the works!