Kruger Brothers

TICKETS: www.tixr.com/groups/harvester/events/kruger-brothers-184773
Early Years
Uwe Kruger was born in Germany in 1961, followed by his brother Jens in 1962. The family moved to Switzerland, where music was a central part of their daily life. From an early age, the brothers played guitar and other instruments. Influenced by artists like Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, and Bill Monroe, they performed their first public show in 1973.
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Teenage Years
After their mother’s passing in 1974, they moved to Zürich and formed a skiffle band. By the age of 12, Jens was already playing banjo with various bands. In 1976, they discovered Strictly Instrumental by Flatt & Scruggs, which inspired them to focus on bluegrass. In 1979, they became traveling street musicians across Europe and later formed the band Rocky Road with the Galfano Brothers. CBS Records signed them in 1981. However, musical differences led them to split in 1982—Uwe pursued country music, while Jens moved to the U.S., where he performed with bluegrass legend Bill Monroe before returning to Switzerland.
Reuniting
In 1987, Uwe and Jens reunited and formed Appalachian Barn Orchestra, blending bluegrass with European influences. Their music gained popularity, and in 1990, bassist Joel Landsberg joined, marking the transition to The Kruger Brothers. They hosted a live radio show on Swiss National Radio and toured extensively, performing over 250 shows per year. Their reputation grew across Europe, and they became known for their virtuosic musicianship and unique sound. By 1995, they decided to dedicate themselves entirely to The Kruger Brothers, canceling other commitments and founding their own recording studio to produce and release their music independently.
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Back in the USA
In 1997 Uwe, Jens, and Joel were invited to play at MerleFest in North Carolina. They were so well received in their festival debut, that MerleFest has invited the Kruger Brothers back to the festival every year since. Notlong after MerleFest, Kruger Brothers management organized extensive tours throughout the US beginning in the fall of 1997.
After five years of playing almost six month out of the year in the US, it was time tomake the decision to either abandon the US market or relocate the entire Kruger Brothers organization to the US.
In 2003 Uwe, Jens, and Joel moved their business and their families to North Carolina.