"Torsten de Winkel's thinking revolves around tolerance and genuine openness and is musically expressed against the background of far-reaching abilities in overcoming stylistic compartments. This outstanding talent, trail-blazer for many young Europeans, who are meanwhile making their way in the USA, has in rare combination of intrepid leaps in prominent waters hand-in-hand with persevering academic further training advanced to become one of the most complete guitarists, whose unique instrumental language enables him to simultaneously bow to Jim Hall and at the same time call the tune in the development of the modern guitar on the lines of Jim Scofield." (rororo Jazz Encyclopaedia)
Whereas Torsten de Winkel's biography shows a number of unusual details - presented to a million audience by Pat Metheny during the "Secret Story Tour", after landing "the coup of German jazz history with his debut "Mastertouch" (Günther Hottman in the FAZ). Since then, collaboration with a virtual horde of leading jazz musicians - from Michael Brecker and Ravi Coltrane to Tab Two and Joe Wawinul - the commuter between continents is now equally at home on the stages of Germany and the USA. He is cofounder of the new york jazz guerrilla, an artists' organization with affiliated label that offers musicians from the world over a forum for mutual artistic pollination and is intended to contribute to breaking down barriers between cultures and styles of music. In this spirit are likewise de Winkel's performances - always in honour of rich jazz traditions and the tireless pursuit of new ways that are revitalized with rhythms and sound hues of other cultures.