Director of DJAM
Christian Hassenstein (b. 1960) is the artistic director of DJAM. In 1990, he founded DJAM with the ambition to create a music program with a distinctive character and a clear educational vision (see: About DJAM).
He began playing guitar at the age of 15 and studied both jazz and classical guitar at the Conservatory in Graz (Austria) from 1982 to 1986. He then continued his studies in jazz guitar at the Hilversum Conservatory (now the Conservatory of Amsterdam) from 1986 to 1988, where he was taught by Wim Overgaauw and earned his diploma.
Christian has performed with renowned musicians such as Gil Evans, David Friesen, Attila Zoller, Ernie Wilkins, Phil Wilson, Lee Konitz, Ack van Rooyen, Dave Liebman, Toon Roos, Ferdinand Povel, and John Engels. Since 1983, he has performed with his own trio and quartet at jazz venues and festivals across Europe.
He began teaching in 1980 and went on to teach main subject jazz guitar for five years at the Hilversum (now Amsterdam) Conservatory.
For more information about his recordings, performances, and projects, please visit Christian’s website.