The beginning
Jan formed his first group, the Nameless Blues Band – the guitar became a voice and blues his musical home.
Guitarist · Singer · Bandleader · Teacher
Jan Hirte
Blues is not a box. It is a language – for the stage, for teaching and for stories that stay with you.
Berlin · on the road for over three decades
One musician, many line-ups – always the same signature.
Jan Hirte brings electric blues, soul, jazz and rock together with a warm, distinctive guitar tone. This site gathers his bands, concerts, lessons, releases and Blues Talks in one place.
The tone matters. And so does the story behind it.
Short biography
Four decades of blues. Still moving forward.
Jan Hirte has played blues since the age of 16. For more than 40 years, the Berlin-based guitarist, singer and bandleader has performed on international stages – in clubs, at festivals and alongside renowned blues artists. Two honours and four further nominations from the German Record Critics’ Award mark his path.
On stage
International tours, clubs and festivals – including performances with Buddy Ace, Johnny Copeland, Luther Allison, Frank Biner, Angela Brown and Guitar Crusher.
Record Critics’ Award
First honoured for the First Class Blues Band’s “First Class Blues”, then for “Unknowable Journey” with Ginger Blues. Four further nominations followed – most recently with Jones and the Crew in 2025.
Music & teaching
Jones and the Crew, Blue Ribbon, “30 Years”, “Soulmates”, lessons, workshops and Blues Talks.
On stage
Upcoming dates
JANNIS is tuning the instruments …
Bands & formats
Projects
From intimate club sets to international festival line-ups, from soul nights to lecture concerts.
02Band
Jan Hirte’s Blue Ribbon
Direct, guitar-led blues – from a compact trio to a larger line-up.
05Band
Angela Cory Band
Blues and rock ’n’ roll with Angela Cory, the exceptional singer from Australia.
06Special project
International Blues Allstars
International musicians, one shared language: blues.
Lecture concert · Workshop
Blues Talks
Blues as a World Language
Together with Gemma Abrié, Jan combines live blues with stories about memory, resistance and healing. The audience does not merely listen – it becomes part of the evening.
60–90 minflexible format
DE / ENbilingual
Livemusic & dialogue
Blues Talks materials
01Portfolio · German02Portfolio · English03Biography · German04Biography · EnglishSchool of Blues
Guitar lessons that sound like music.
For beginners, advanced players, children, groups and workshops. Blues is the starting point – rock, jazz, soul, pop and classical foundations are welcome too.
- Rhythm, timing and accompaniment
- Improvisation, scales and soloing
- Bottleneck, picking and tone
- Harmony without the dry dust
- Repertoire, ensemble playing and stage craft
Pace, schedule and rates by arrangement. What matters is where you want to go – not where you happen to start.
Ask about lessons
Listen · Buy · Both
Music & Shop
Six CDs spanning more than three decades: listen now, order directly from Jan – or simply do both.
Jan Hirte’s Blue Ribbon & Friends
Featuring Guitar Crusher, Alex Schultz, Bo Gustafsson, Nina T. Davis and many more
Prices exclude shipping. Please mention which album and how many copies you would like.
For promoters & media
Press
High-resolution press photos, reviews and further materials are available on request.
„Jan Hirte is one of Germany’s most distinguished blues guitarists!“
Hifi Vision
Reviews from the archive
One of Germany’s most beautiful blues albums, with fine guitar work in the style of Robert Lockwood.
German Blues Circle · 9/1999Guitar in the spirit of B.B. King.
Aachener Volkszeitung · 4/1993A tight, seasoned band built around the outstanding guitarist Jan Hirte.
Blues News · No. 42/2005Lehrter Blues Festival recognised Jan as one of Germany’s best-known blues guitarists.
Lehrter Blues Festival · 9/2005Keith Tynes praised the compelling live atmosphere and Blue Ribbon’s impressive tribute to soul music.
Keith Tynes · The PlattersSixties and seventies soul, blues and R&B, driven by Nayeli’s voice and a band that leaves you wanting more.
Blues News · 03/04 2012Seydel highlighted Blue Ribbon as one of Berlin’s strongest live blues bands, with special praise for Nayeli’s remarkable voice.
C. A. Seydel SöhneOn stage & off stage
Photos
Swipe, scroll or click
Let’s talk
Booking, lessons or a good idea?
Choose the topic and project. Your message reaches the right place safely – without passing through seven open notebooks.
Stay connected
Social & video
New music, tour moments and glimpses behind the stage – directly through Jan Hirte’s personal channels.