ABO T
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.
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.
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.
The Kruger Brothers have since released more than twenty-five CD's on their own label.They have performed with numerous symphony orchestras, string ensembles, andguest musicians on their extensive touring schedule throughout the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia.
The Kruger Brothers are members of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, the Wilkes County Hall of Fame, the International Banjo Hall of Fame, as well as the American Folk Music Hall of Fame.
Both Uwe and Jens are honorary citizens of North Carolina and Calgary,Canada.
The Kruger Brothers have received numerous awards including the Steve Martin Prize for excellence in banjo and bluegrass, several IBMA nominations, PrixVallo and many more...
The Kruger Brothers are a true staple of the American music scene and continue to bring excellence to audiences worldwide.
“The music they make is a tribute to the very idea that indeed America is a melting pot and the sounds that were birthed from the heartland find a universal touchstone.”
Uwe Kruger
Uwe Kruger started playing guitar at the age of 6 on his father's instrument, then the Kruger family sang a lot of German folk songs together and music came very naturally to them.
The family's small but fine record collection, including George Lewis, Chet Atkins, Hank Snow, Eddy Arnold, Doc Watson and classical composers such as Beethoven, Bach and Mozart, strongly influenced Uwe's early years.
His first professional show in 1973 alongside his brother made him dream of a musical life, just playing guitar and singing. In 1979 he became a full-time professional musician.
In 1981 he signed his first recording contract with CBS, singing bluegrass with Jens on banjo and the Galfano Brothers from NY on mandolin and bass.
After splitting from his brother in 1982, Uwe began a solo career as a country bandleader and sideman in numerous formations as a singer and electric/acoustic guitarist.
In 1987, the brothers reunited and concentrated on acoustic music with guitar, banjo and bass. Together they signed with Canaris Records and later with K-Tel Recording in England with producer David McKay. As a studio musician, Uwe played electric and acoustic guitar on countless recordings ranging from R&B, country to American folk.
After working for a musical stage production in the early 90's and hosting the Kruger Brothers very own live music radio show on National Radio DRS, he decided to concentrate his career entirely on the Kruger Brothers path, canceling all other musical obligations.
Since 1997 Uwe has been working as a musician in the USA and moved to the Carolinas in 2002.
Uwe is known for his deep musical understanding and honesty about his own songs and interpretations of classic American folk music. His highly complex blend of flatpicking and fingerpicking techniques allows him to find ways to fill the musical space between a banjo and a bass like no other. Uwe's genuine and humble approach to music is evident at every show, no matter if it is with a symphony, a festival or concert hall stages. His playing and singing always remains intuitive, powerful, delicate, detailed and emotionally honest.
Uwe's book "Travels with Uwe" is a treasure and speaks for itself.
Uwe's remains a significant figure in the world of music and will continue to inspire musicians and audiences alike.
Jens Kruger
Jens Kruger, born in 1962 in Rothrist, Switzerland, grew up in a musical family.
He started playing harmonica at five, then became fascinated by the banjo at seven.
By ten, he had his first tenor banjo and performed his first show two weeks later.
At twelve, he played in a band with his brother and recorded for Swiss National Radio.
At seventeen, the brothers became homeless, busking across Europe. A year later, CBS Records signed them, and they toured Europe with their band Rocky Road.
In 1981, Jens and Uwe parted ways musically, with Jens focusing on bluegrass and working on the railroad to save for a trip to the U.S. In 1982, Jens met Bill Monroe, performed with him at the Bean Blossom Festival, and became the first European banjo player at the Grand Ole Opry.
Jens returned to Switzerland to study music and play in bands. In 1987, he reunited with Uwe for an acoustic project, signed with Canaris Records, and toured Central Europe. He also played electric guitar for multiple bands and taught music at universities.
In 1989, Swiss National Radio gave them their own show, The Kruger Brothers Radio Show. In 1991, Jens released his solo banjo album Days in the Field. By 1993, they officially formed The Kruger Brothers, signing with K-Tel Records and releasing three albums.
After a major musical production in 1996, Jens focused solely on The Kruger Brothers and co-founded Double Time Music inc, releasing two solo albums. In 1997, they debuted at MerleFest and toured the U.S. In 2001, Double Time Music was incorporated in North Carolina, and in 2003, Jens moved his family there.
That year, Jens became Director of Research and Development for Deering Banjo Company, designing his own tone ring and helping develop new models like the Tenbrooks and Eagle series. He also collaborated with REMO and Gotoh to improve banjo components and still works with them today.
In 2005, Jens was granted a U.S. Green Card under the Extraordinary Ability program.
Alongside his work with The Kruger Brothers and Deering, Jens also produces albums for other artists through Double Time Music. In 2006, he performed his symphonic arrangement Music From the Spring in Washington, D.C., with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
That June, in recognition of his cultural contributions, the American flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor.
Jens has been invited to teach as a guest professor at several U.S. music colleges, including Berklee College of Music in Boston.
His commissioned compositions include Appalachian Concerto, Lucid Dreamer, Spirit of the Rockies, Roan Mountain Suite, and Moonshine Sonata. As a producer, he has recorded, mixed, and engineered all of The Kruger Brothers’ album releases.
Jens has received numerous accolades, including inductions into the International Banjo Hall of Fame, the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, the American Folk Music Hall of Fame, and the Wilkes County Hall of Fame.
In 2013, he was awarded the Steve Martin Banjo Prize for excellence in banjo and bluegrass music. Over the years, he has received many other awards and nominations.
Jens is an honorary citizen of Calgary, Canada, and North Carolina.
In January 2025, he became a U.S. citizen.
Joel Landsberg
Joel Landsberg was born in New York City in 1959. His family were all music lovers and professional musicians.
He started piano at an early age, and after a brief foray into harmonica, where he won the American Harmonica Competition at the age of 12, he fell in love with bass.
He took lessons and spent as much time as he could playing in bands and watching and learning from his older brother, Norman Landsberg, who was already a touring pianist and music producer by Joel's teenage years.
New York City's vibrant and diverse music scene catapulted Joel into an eclectic mix of musical genres. From rock and blues to Broadway, salsa and classical, Joel toured cruise ships and countless concert venues.
He met bass master Milt Hinton in his first college year, and became his bass student for several years.
In addition to being a radio show host in Vermont, a travel agent in NY, and a touring musician, Joel wore many hats in the 80's.
Joel moved to Switzerland in 1989.
Shortly thereafter, he began playing bass in many bands and toured extensively throughout Europe.
After meeting Uwe and Jens in 1989, they decided to work together in many of the bands at the time, averaging about 250 shows a year.
Joel became the exclusive bassist for the Kruger Brothers in 1995 and has been touring and recording with them ever since.
In 1997, Joel was invited to join Uwe and Jens at Merlefest NC and after 6 years of touring in the USA, he decided to move back to the USA in 2003.
His musical background and expertise as well as his ability to pick up music quickly made him loved and respected by all his fellow musicians.
Joel Landsberg was instrumental in shaping the unique sound of the Kruger Brothers through his ability to adapt to solid timing, harmonic understanding, and expanded musical expression.
When the Kruger Brothers' touring schedule allows, he volunteers as an EMT in Wilkesboro NC and helps out around the community as much as he can.
