KRUGER BROTHERS CONCERT IS BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

By Jackie Hanson

Photos by Gian Vaitl

December 10, 2008 (San Diego's East County) — If you’ve heard of the
Kruger Brothers, then you’ve likely heard the superlatives used to describe
their music: sublime, inspiring, sheer genius… (the list goes on).  If
you’ve been fortunate enough to actually hear the Kruger Brothers live, you’ll
realize that words pale in comparison to the experience. 

The Kruger Brothers played at Cuyamaca College on Friday, December 5th.  I
was in the crowd, awestruck by their performance.  Now, however, I’m on
the hook to produce this article.  After all, I did use the “press perk”
of free admission. (Did I mention that a Kruger Brothers performance defies
words?)

So, let’s start with their back-story (and perhaps I’ll warm into language
to do justice to what I heard).   The Kruger Brothers are Uwe (Oovay)
and Jens (Yentz) Kruger, German brothers who were raised in Switzerland, backed
by Joel Landsberg, who hails from New York City.  Their music is categorized
as bluegrass, but they go way beyond what you would expect from that genre.   Uwe
plays guitar and does most of the singing.  Jens plays the banjo like
no one you’ve ever heard, and it is his unique banjo style and range that sets
the brothers K apart, giving them their fame and dedicated following.  The
Krugers write their own music as well.

The brothers started making their living with their music while still in their
teens, playing as street musicians by day and traveling at night by train throughout
Europe.  This romantic lifestyle led to many friendships and helped influence
their amazing diversity.   But though they played whatever their
patrons requested, it was American bluegrass that they grew to favor.  Jens
was clearly smitten with the banjo.  He claims to have been such a fan
that “by the time I was fourteen I had a great Tennessee accent.”

Uwe and Jens grew up and settled back in Switzerland, but continued to tour,
including several visits to the US.  Finally the Krugers immigrated to
North Carolina (banjo country) in 2003.  They brought Joel Landsberg into
their act, the only other musician they found who could cope with their wild
ideas and improvisations with steady, uncomplaining adaptability and good humor.

Ten years ago, the Kruger Brothers connected with our own East County when
Jens got his first Deering banjo.  It turns out that Jens Kruger’s favorite
instrument was made right here in Spring Valley at the Deering Banjo Factory,
owned and operated by Greg and Janet Deering.  When the Deerings discovered
that this esteemed musician preferred their banjos, a great partnership was
born.  The Deerings provided him with banjos and Jens conducted research,
which helped the Deerings improve their product.  Says Janet Deering,
“We’re good at building; he’s good at playing, and the marriage of those is
what makes a good instrument.” 

The Deerings are, by the way, inventors of the “Crossfire” electric banjo,
but not ones to rest on their laurels.  “We used his [Jens’] ear to tweak
all the fine points.  In the last five years we’ve improved, and improved,
and improved,” Janet added.  One innovation was having a Swiss bell factory
produce the “toe-ring” (the metal ring around the banjo edge), which results
in a more resonant instrument. 

The Deering Banjo Factory sponsored the Kruger Brothers concert and featured
a follow-up Banjo Workshop on Saturday by Greg Deering, with Jens Kruger as
special guest.  Banjo classes for “pre-beginners” were also offered by
Barry Hunn, and the banjo factory was open for tours. 

Cuyamaca College counts the Deerings as dear friends.  In fact, Greg
played music at the grand opening of the new Communication and Arts Building
last February.  In addition to holding this performance at Cuyamaca College,
the Kruger Brothers taught special sessions to Cuyamaca students on Friday
before their performance.

Incredibly, Jens Kruger first taught college students when he was just a fourth
grader; such is his amazing mastery of music.  He writes much of the group’s
music and has also written symphony music; he was commissioned to write the
orchestral soundtrack for the film Three Winters.

The brothers have a flair for comedy as well.  They answered questions
about the broad appeal of “these Swiss guys who play bluegrass” by hilariously
transforming European and world classics (everything from reggae to “Rule Britannia”)
into bluegrass renditions. Then, to illustrate the parallels of their growth
as bluegrass musicians and the popularity of banjo music, they deftly knocked
out a medley of Flatt and Scruggs tunes, Kingston Trio favorites, and soundtrack
excerpts from the iconic films Deliverance (remember the dueling banjos?), Bonnie
and Clyde, and O, Brother Where Art Thou? 

I’m warmed up now, and ready to find words to describe the Kruger Brother’s
incredible music!  (So here goes…)  The Kruger Brothers deliver vibrant
music, full of variation, nuance and playfulness.  Compare it to a tapestry,
with a rich texture of layered sounds as their instruments alternate the lead,
interweave embellishments, launch complimentary riffs, savor chords, and develop
intricate themes with repetition and variation.  And then there’s their
versatility--from sea shanties, with Uwe singing in his deep, rich voice, to
symphonic numbers.  As Jens says, “We’re throwing in new things every
program.”

OK, not too bad, but I haven’t really done them justice.  You’ll need
to hear them for yourself, and you can, even if you missed them live.  They
have several CD’s available, among them Choices, Up18North, and Travel
the Gravel.  Go ahead.  Google them, or visit www.krugerbrothers.com and
hear some great Bluegrass and more. 

Mark my words, they’re amazing.