HEADLINERS 2022
KRUGER BROTHERS
Innovation comes in many forms ; for the Kruger Brothers it comes naturally ... by ISAAC GORRELL
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heir varied desires , influences and ability blend seamlessly into a cohesive unit that explores and defines the spirit of American music . Jens and Uwe Kruger are joined by Joel Landsberg to create the Kruger Brothers and they have been performing together since 1995 . Jens and Uwe hail from Switzerland while Joel is from New York . Their tenure together has brought them to Guthrie a time or two and many stops in-between . They are our only international band this year and should be greeted with an extra warm welcome .
After traveling Europe and busking for their food they landed a recording contract with CBS Records when Jens was 17 years old and not long after he met bluegrass legend Bill Monroe .
Uwe has been a student of the guitar since childhood and growing up . Jens and Uwe would split time accompanying each other on guitar and accordion ; even sharing the guitar at different times , one playing three strings while the other played the remaining . Jens first five string banjo was a gift from Uwe and it was an instrument he wanted to play since first hearing it on a record . Jens had been learning banjo on a tenor but everything fell into place once he was able to resonate the sounds of Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson .
After traveling Europe and busking for their food they landed a recording contract with CBS Records when Jens was 17 years old and not long after he met bluegrass legend Bill Monroe .
1997 was the official introduction of the Kruger Brothers to the audiences of the United States . Soon they were brandishing their unique blend of classically infused bluegrass across the states and making themselves a staple of the Americana music scene .
The unequivocal Kruger Brothers-ness of their music imparts a compassion and earnestness that is often missed by less dedicated and patient artists . Listening to any of the Kruger Brothers multitude of albums is a pleasure but seeing them perform live is absolutely atmospheric .
6 / OKLAHOMA ’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2022