Rigo Winterstein

Rigo Winterstein is a Dutch guitarist known for his exceptional skills in Sinti jazz. Born in 1957, Rigo started playing guitar at the age of seven, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already performing with some of the biggest names in the industry.

One of his earliest experiences was sharing the stage with Schnucke-Nack Reinhardt and Häns’che Weiss as a kid. This was a formative experience for Rigo, and it helped him develop his unique style and sound.

As a young man, Rigo formed his own trio, the Rigo Winterstein Trio, and later began his musical career with brothers Schnecko and Rudi Mettbach. It wasn’t long before he caught the attention of the Dutch music scene, and he started appearing on television shows like “Der Große Preis” with his Swingtet.

Thanks to his exposure on Dutch television, Rigo’s music quickly gained popularity, and he started touring across Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, and Austria. His unique blend of Sinti jazz and other styles of music quickly became a hit, and he began to collaborate with some of the biggest names in the industry.

Rigo Winterstein’s musical collaborations included performances with Hugo Strasser, Paul Kuhn, Bill Ramsey, Helmut Zacharias, and Stephane Crappelli. He also appeared on numerous radio and television shows with the Rigo Winterstein Swingtett, which became one of the most popular Sinti jazz bands in the world.

Despite his success, Rigo remained humble and focused on his music. He continued to hone his craft and explore new styles and sounds throughout his career, and his music remains a testament to his passion and dedication.

Rigo also played double bass double bass in his new Swingtett with Lulu Reinhardt (lead guitar), her sons Harry and Django Winterstein (guitar) and violinist Vatali Krause.

In conclusion, Rigo Winterstein is a Dutch guitarist who has made a significant impact on the world of Sinti jazz and the music of Django Reinhardt, gypsy jazz, jazz manouche. He started playing guitar at a young age and quickly developed his unique style and sound. With his impressive collaborations and numerous appearances on television and radio, Rigo has become one of the most beloved Sinti jazz musicians of his time.