Christo Ruppenthal

Christopher "Christo" Ruppenthal is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and entrepreneur whose professional music career started in 2003. He plays hot Hawaiian lap steel guitar and ukulele, Django Reinhardt style “Hot Club” jazz guitar, and Western Swing! Christo is an avid performer with thousands of gigs both across the U.S. and internationally to his credit.

Christo has released multiple recordings under his own name. Café Allongé showcases both his musicianship and arranging skills on a collection of his his original compositions. And his Antique Aloha series of releases is inspired by some of his favorite vintage Hawaiian and lap steel guitar centric 78 RPM records.

He has also been involved in many recording sessions for the other bands he leads as well as 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 curated "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 with worldwide membership. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization works to promote 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.