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<\/p>\nThe trio formed by Swiss musicians Jens and Uwe Kr\u00fcger draws inspiration from the American bluegrass and folk music of Bill Monroe, Doc Watson and others in the lively acoustic traditions. Adding their own unique spin, the brothers (plus American bassist Joel Landsberg) have wowed audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n
Starting with their 1995 debut Behind the Barn<\/i>, The Kr\u00fcger Brothers have released 19 albums; Roan Mountain Suite<\/i> from 2017 is their latest. Those albums explore the rich musical heritage of America, filtered through the European sensibilities of Jens and Uwe. \u201cWe grew up with a very big variety of musical styles in Switzerland, from all the countries around us: Germany, Austria, France, Italy,\u201d says Jens. \u201cIn the end, when you choose your music, you relate it to how you grew up. So I think that is an influence that we definitely have in our music.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The brothers got their start as buskers, playing for passersby on the streets of European cities. That experience colors and informs the music they make today. \u201cSince [we were] kids, we saw how important it is to reach out to people emotionally with what we do,\u201d Jens explains. \u201cAnd I think that is a big influence of how we treat our audience. I think [playing] on the street is a good ‘school’ to see that you have to be a contribution to society.\u201d<\/p>\n
That perspective was one of many things the Kr\u00fcger Brothers found they had in common with their hero Doc Watson. \u201cWe talked about that a lot with him,\u201d Jens says. \u201cBecause he\u2019s played on the streets for years. His family [initially] wouldn\u2019t do it; they would just sing the ballads at home. But he would sing the ballads in the streets, engaging people.\u201d<\/p>\n
And that makes a world of difference. \u201cWhen you sing on the streets, you start to sing in a different fashion,\u201d Jens says. \u201cIt’s not just a recital of something; it becomes a performance. And it’s like having a conversation [with the audience].\u201d<\/p>\n
Jens and Uwe moved to the United States in 1997. But rather than settle in one of the country’s bustling music hubs \u2013 New York City, Nashville, Los Angeles \u2013 they chose Wilkes County, North Carolina, home to the annual MerleFest. \u201cWe started our tours from here, and we got to be friends with a lot of people from around here,\u201d Jens says.<\/p>\n
And they discovered that in addition to the region being highly fertile ground for folk music, it’s also logistically attractive. \u201cHere, we are in a 12-hour circle of 150 million people,\u201d Jens says. \u201cTravel 12 hours one way and you are in Toronto; 12 hours the other way, you’re in Miami.\u201d But practical concerns aside, they simply love North Carolina.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe landscape here in western North Carolina is just outstanding. Life quality is just really top-notch,\u201d Jens enthuses. \u201cSo, for us this was actually a no-brainer. \u201cIt\u2019s just so beautiful, and people are really nice. This is one of the good spots on the earth.\u201d He says that his children \u2013 then pre-teens who didn’t yet speak English when they moved here \u2013 were \u201cwarmly welcomed, hugged and greeted\u201d by their public school classmates and teachers.<\/p>\n
Jens and Uwe Kruger encountered many other pleasant surprises once they became established in the U.S. \u201cIt was beautiful to see how genuine the music is,\u201d Jens says. \u201cWhen we met people like Doc Watson and Tim Howe, we found that they were as nice as you would think they were when you listened to their music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another surprise: \u201cWe discovered that we could play our own compositions, and they were actually liked as much as the traditional music that we played,\u201d Jens says. \u201cWe realized that in America, people appreciate a contribution to the culture.\u201d And he loves American audiences. \u201cIf you are honest and heartfelt \u2013 even if the result wouldn\u2019t be good \u2013 American audiences will appreciate the effort,\u201d Jens says. \u201cAnd that’s very beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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