Gregor Hilden
A Münster-based guitarist and former editor-in-chief of the magazine 'Akustik Gitarre' — known for an elegant, jazz-inflected blues style played on a modified 1968 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop, and for his main project, the Gregor Hilden Organ Trio.
Musical Influence
Gregor Hilden's role in German blues is as much institutional as musical: as longtime editor-in-chief of "Akustik Gitarre," he shaped how a whole generation of German guitarists read about and understood blues and roots guitar playing, long before he became a full-time touring artist himself (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_Hilden). Through the Greg's Bluesnight concert series he has, for years, given international blues artists a regular stage in the Münster region, and through Greg's Guitars he has become a gathering point for vintage-guitar enthusiasts in Germany (Source: gitarrebass.de). That he is still, more than thirty years after his debut album, described by the trade press as one of Europe's best bluesmen — and that his song "Farewell Blues" has been licensed for an American film — shows the reach of a career that extends well beyond Germany's borders (Source: Mannheimer Morgen, 2004; gregorhilden.de).
Formative experiences
- •Started on classical guitar at 12, switched to electric guitar at 15 (Source: gregorhilden.de/info.php).
- •Received about six months of lessons from Düsseldorf blues guitarist Peter Driessen — his only named teacher (Source: gregorhilden.de/info.php).
- •Landed his first professional work at 18, as a guitarist in Münster musical-theatre productions and as house guitarist at the Münster Stadttheater (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_Hilden).
- •Found his signature guitar, a 1968 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop, and knew instantly it would be his instrument for life (Source: darkstars.de, Guitar Special Vol. 86).
Instruments & Equipment
Guitar
Heavily modified: original PAF pickup in the bridge, a 1963 Patent Number pickup in the neck, chambered body, repaired headstock (by luthier Boris Dommenget), refretted. Weighs about 3.8 kg (Source: darkstars.de, Guitar Special Vol. 86).
Supporting guitars in his stage rig, including a signature-style instrument built by luthier 'Helliver' (Source: gitarrebass.de/thema/gregor-hilden).
Other
Dumble-inspired Kitty-Hawk combos for lead tone, Fender Vibrolux for clean tone. Pedals: Boss BD-2 Blues Driver, Okko Diablo. D'Addario strings .011–.052, Dunlop 2mm picks (Source: musikunterricht.de interview; gitarrebass.de).
Stories & Anecdotes
"On his signature guitar, he has said he knew instantly it would be his instrument for life, and that he believes the wood in old guitars is molecularly altered by years of string vibration (Source: darkstars.de; gitarrebass.de)."
"On his recording philosophy, he has said: 'I want a CD to not sound dated in twenty years' (Source: musikunterricht.de interview)."
"During a concert at Kloster Bentlage in Rheine in May 2024, he joked that he 'doesn't need to practice blues,' while displaying jazz-guitar technique reviewers compared to Joe Pass (Source: Jazz'halo concert review, 2024)."
Collaborators
Hammond organist and bass-pedal player in the Gregor Hilden Organ Trio (Source: gregorhilden.de/material/HildenOrganTrioInfo.pdf).
Drummer in the Gregor Hilden Organ Trio, also performs at the Wacken festival (Source: Jazz'halo concert review, 2024).
Singer/guitarist, ongoing collaborator since 2007, duo albums 'Moments' (2017/2019) and a joint Peter Green tribute from 2025 (Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_Hilden).
American vocalist, recorded and toured together, including the album 'Soulful Stew' (2010) (Source: discography data).
Watch & Listen
Gregor Hilden Organ Trio - live in Oelde, 2025 (Grandma's Hands)
GregsGuitars - Gregor Hilden
Watch & Listen
Press & quotes
"one of Europe's best bluesmen"
"the best thing Gregor Hilden has released so far"
"a true feast for lovers of blues, soul and jazz"
Discography
| Year | Title | Producer | Studio | Label | Chart | Sales | Musicians | YouTube | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Guitar De Luxe | — | — | — | — | — | — | Debut album under his own name. | |
| 2000 | I'll Play The Blues For You | — | — | — | — | — | — | Released with the Gregor Hilden Band. | |
| 2004 | Blue Hour | — | — | — | — | — | — | Featuring Johnny Rogers and Stevie Woods; received a five-star review in Mannheimer Morgen. | |
| 2008 | Blue In Red | — | — | — | — | — | — | Instrumental album with guest soloists including Tom Principato. | |
| 2015 | In Phase | — | — | — | — | — | — | Reviewed by Making a Scene and Sounds of Blue in the US. | |
| 2018 | First Take | — | — | Acoustic Music Records | — | — | — | Debut album with the Gregor Hilden Organ Trio. | |
| 2020 | Vintage Wax | — | — | — | — | — | — | Second album with the Gregor Hilden Organ Trio. | |
| 2024 | New Boogaloo | — | — | — | — | — | — | Third album with the Gregor Hilden Organ Trio. |
Famous songs
External links
Booking / Contact
Booking runs directly through the artist — no separate booking agency is publicly documented.
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