Häns'che Weiss

Häns’che Weiss was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1951, into a musical Sinto (German Romani) family. He learned guitar from his father, Gono, starting at the age of 13. His musical journey began by winning the first prize in the “Young Talent Competition” in Berlin, marking his initial steps into the world of guitar.

In 1969, Weiss joined the Schnuck Nick Reinhardt quintet as the solo guitarist. They embarked on tours across Europe and recorded two albums together, “Musik deutscher Zigeuner 3” and “Musik deutscher Zigeuner 4,” released under the “Da Camera Song” label.

In 1972, Weiss formed his own band, “The Häns’che Weiss Quintet,” consisting of members from the Schnuckenack Reinhardt Quintet. The new band lineup included Häns’che Weiss on guitar, the prodigious 15-year-old “Titi” Winterstein on violin, Holzmanno Winterstein and Ziroli Winterstein on rhythm guitars, and Hojok Merstein on double bass.

Under the production of Siegfried Maeker, the Häns’che Weiss discography Quintet released five albums:

“Musik deutscher Zigeuner 5” (1973)
“Musik deutscher Zigeuner 6”
“Dja Maro Drom” (1974)
“Das Häns’che Weiss Quintett” (1975)
“Fünf Jahre Musik deutscher Zigeuner” (1977)
Weiss’s contributions to gypsy jazz and the Django Reinhardt tradition extended beyond his music. He played a significant role in preserving and promoting the culture of the Sinti people.

In 1981, Weiss formed a new band and released his album “Couleurs.” Over the years, he continued his musical exploration, showcasing a more modern approach to his guitar playing. Influenced by artists like Barney Kessel, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, and Kenny Burrell, his style incorporated elements of bebop and jazz guitar.

During the later stages of his career, Weiss embarked on a solo path, occasionally performing with Vali Mayer or pianist Micky Bamberger. Together, they released three albums with a modern jazz style:

“Just Play”
“Just Play II”
“The Duo: Live!”
On June 2, 2016, Häns’che Weiss passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Inspired by Django Reinhardt, he played a pivotal role in reviving the “hot club” style of gypsy jazz guitar from the 1960s. He is fondly remembered not only as an excellent player but also as a mentor to emerging musicians and a genuinely kind-hearted individual.