Because I'm a member subscriber of WFMT, the classical music station in Chicago, I get periodic emails from them. This morning, I got one that had a bunch of program information, along with links to a variety of articles and videos. One caught my eye, since it was about Steve Martin helping induct Jens Kruger, of the Kruger Bros. trio, into the American Banjo Hall of Fame. (Yes, yes, I know that a Hall of Fame for banjos might be a contradiction in terms to many people, but as I’ve written here in the past, I love the banjo, even learned to play it and have one – though I’d need a refresher course – and have gone to the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest for years. So, I like that there's a banjo Hall of Fame.) I don’t know the Kruger Bros. well – it’s a group comprised of Jens and Uwe Kruger, and Joel Landsberg – though have heard them occasionally. Their story is interesting, having been born in Germany but moving to Switzerland at a very young age. Jens and Uwe took up the banjo and guitar, fell in love with music and because of a difficult family life moved out and went on the road performing in their teens. Jens moved to America first, though Uwe joined him a few years later. They played with Bill Mornoe's group and Doc Watson was one of their mentors. Their music has been traditional, but also branched off in its own direction, including writing some classical pieces. Eventually, they both settled in North Carolina. Anyway, on the webpage with Jens Kruger’s induction, there were three videos of the group playing with the Kontras Quartet -- which is the ensemble in residence for WFMT, most-certainly why these three videos were selected to post. I was intrigued, so I picked one with a title I liked, “Carolina in the Fall.” That turned out to be a great choice -- it’s absolutely wonderful. It’s basically a traditional song, but the arrangement with both groups added a wonderful texture. The other two songs embedded on the page were very good, as well -- this here is that webpage with all three songs -- but this was the standout to me, what is clearly a biographical number and, from articles I subsequently read, what has become a standard at their concerts. That's Uwe singing lead, and Jens on banjo. Joel Landsberg is to their left on the bass guitar. (Sorry, I can't identify the Kontras Quartet individually, so they're on their own. But to give them credit, it's Dmitri Pogolerov, François Henkins, Jean Hatmaker and Ai Ishida. And that's one of those four in the freeze frame below.) If you're interested in seeing the Hall of Fame introduction video, I might as well include it. Just know not to expect Steve Martin to be funny in it. He clearly has great admiration for Jens Kruger (with whom he's performed), and it shows. Also, his part in the occasion is small, and most of the video tells about Jens Kruger, along with his brother.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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