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Foto: Ellen Coenders / Kay Winter (waschecht.hamburg) (Kilde: abiwallenstein.de/pressefotos-download)
Classic
Abi Wallenstein
Born: 1945-12-08• Germany• Active: 1966–present
Piedmont BluesDelta BluesSlide Guitar BluesClassicGermany
The "father of the Hamburg blues scene" — a blues interpreter since 1966, nine-time German Blues Award winner in Solo/Duo. Released the album Blues Vibes with the Ludwig Seuss Trio in 2025, and plays live with the Three Generations Bluesband on 31 October 2026.
Instruments
Vocals, Eight-string guitar, Slide guitar
from
Hamburg, Germany
Born
1945-12-08
Musical Influence
With nearly six decades on stage, Abi Wallenstein has become the very bedrock of Hamburg's blues scene — called "the father of the Hamburg blues scene" by critics, and a constant reference point for German musicians who have themselves picked up the guitar playing bass, rhythm and melody simultaneously after his example (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein). Nine wins in the Solo/Duo category at the German Blues Award between 2011 and 2021 is an unmatched record in German blues, showing a consistency over time that few contemporary artists can rival (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein). Through BluesCulture and a long string of collaborations — with Steve Baker, Henry Heggen, Joja Wendt, Martin Röttger and others — he has also acted as a bridge-builder who has lifted up younger musicians within his own network (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de).
Formative experiences
- •1945: Born 8 December in Jerusalem, son of German Jews who fled during the Nazi era (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein).
- •1960: The family moves back to Germany, first to North Rhine-Westphalia (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein).
- •Mid-1960s: Moves to Hamburg, which remains his base (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein).
- •1966: Debuts on stage as a blues interpreter (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein).
Instruments & Equipment
Guitar
Eight-string guitar, tuned in open G
1966–present
Inspired by Big Joe Williams; lets Wallenstein play bass, rhythm and melody simultaneously (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein).
Stories & Anecdotes
"In 2001 he played a benefit concert for homeless people without payment (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein)."
"He lives with stage author and director Maryn Stucken (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein)."
Collaborators
Hamburg blues and boogie musicians Wallenstein has repeatedly performed with (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein).
International artists Wallenstein has opened for (Source: abiwallenstein.de).
Watch & Listen
Featured
AUF DEM ROTEN STUHL - Abi Wallenstein - Mein Stil & Sound
mediagroove.de
Watch & Listen
Henter videoer fra YouTube…
Press & quotes
"Seine Finger und seine Stimme, verfeinert durch Jahre der Straßenmusik, machen Abi zu einem der ausdrucksstärksten Bluesmusiker Europas."
"Blues war immer geprägt von Originalen, von Musikern, die auf ihre ganz eigene Art Authentizität ausstrahlen. In diesem Sinne ist Abi Wallenstein so authentisch, wie man nur sein kann."
Discography
| Year | Title | Producer | Studio | Label | Chart | Sales | Musicians | YouTube | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Live im Logo (Bad News Reunion) | — | — | LP | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1980 | The Easiest Way (Bad News Reunion) | — | — | LP | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1981 | Two Steps Forward (Bad News Reunion) | — | — | LP | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1982 | Last Orders Please (Bad News Reunion) | — | — | LP | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1989 | Just One Night (Bad News Reunion) | — | — | LP | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1989 | Rockin' Shoes (Abi Wallenstein mit Uli Kringler, Christoph Buse, Stefan Gade) | — | — | LP | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1993 | Two Times 2 (Abi Wallenstein mit Henry Heggen, Steve Baker) | — | — | CD | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1995 | Good Morning Blues (Abi Wallenstein mit Joja Wendt) | — | — | CD | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1995 | Blues, Shuffle, Cajun (Abi Wallenstein mit Lars-Luis Linek) | — | — | CD | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1996 | Blues Avenue (Abi Wallenstein mit Henry Heggen, Steve Baker, Christoph Buse) | — | — | CD | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1998 | Blues on Air (Live) (Abi Wallenstein mit Joja Wendt) | — | — | CD | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 1999 | For Hinz & Kunzt (Abi Wallenstein & Friends) | — | — | CD | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 2000 | In Your Face (Abi Wallenstein und Steve Baker) | — | — | CD | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 2003 | Step in Time (Abi Wallenstein mit Henry Heggen, Steve Baker, Martin Röttger u.a.) | — | — | CD | Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 2007 | Blues Culture (BluesCulture mit Steve Baker, Christoph Buhse) | — | — | CD | Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 2009 | In Concert (Live) (BluesCulture) | — | — | CD | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 2020 | Boogielicious (Live & Pure feat. Abi Wallenstein mit Eeco Rijken Rapp, Bertram Becher, David Herzel) | — | — | CD | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 2022 | Spirit Of The Blues (Abi Wallenstein) | — | — | LP | German Blues Award, Beste nasjonale album | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 2024 | Gimme The Blues (Abi Wallenstein, Martin Röttger, Kalle Reuter, Matthias Schlechter) | — | — | CD | — | — | — | Live recorded 23 March 2024, Alten Bahnhof Anderten. Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. | |
| 2025 | Blues Vibes (Abi Wallenstein & Ludwig Seuss Trio) | — | — | — | — | — | — | Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abi_Wallenstein; abiwallenstein.de. |
Famous songs
01Mein Stil & Sound — AUF DEM ROTEN STUHL (Source: YouTube, mediagroove.de)
Awards & Recognition
2004
Ravensburger Kupferle
With Steve Baker
2011
German Blues Award
Solo/Duo
2012
German Blues Award
Solo/Duo + Male Vocals
2013
German Blues Award
Solo/Duo
2014
German Blues Award
Solo/Duo + Male Vocals
2015
Blues Louis Prize
Lahnstein Blues Festival
2017
German Blues Award
Solo/Duo
2018
German Blues Award
Solo/Duo
2019
German Blues Award
Solo/Duo
2020
German Blues Award
Solo/Duo
2021
German Blues Award
Solo/Duo
2022
German Blues Award
Best National Album (Spirit Of The Blues)
External links
Booking / Contact
Booking agency
Nico Baker Artist Management
Agent/management
Not publicly available
Booking email
mail@abiwallenstein.deBooking phone
0172 4350494Direct contact: Abi Wallenstein. BluesCulture bookings handled exclusively via Nico Baker Artist Management, nicobaker.com (Source: abiwallenstein.de).
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