Talent Tales - Jens Kruger
Jens Kruger is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding banjo virtuoso of our time. The Kruger Brothers Band members include Jens on banjo, his brother Uwe on guitar, and Joel Landsberg on bass. Their performances are punctuated with stories of their lives and exciting musical expertise. The Kruger Brothers Band is very approachable...they love to talk to fans. They are also very modest individuals. Here is a story we received via email that is a classic example of how truly modest Jens Kruger is:
My introduction to Deering banjos came at The Deering Day held at Eagle Music in the UK. As novice to the banjo I was dubious about picking in public so I came up with a cunning plan. I would ask someone else to pick the banjo I liked the look of (being quite deaf makes a difference). A regular guy was walking around the trade area in a 3/4 length black coat must have thought it strange when I asked "Do you play?" he answered " yes a Little bit, why" so I told him of my plight and he asked if I wanted him to play a banjo for me, great, my plan was coming together. After getting this stranger to demonstrate quite a number of banjos I selected the Hartford and then approached Steve Noon to sort out the cash side. Well purchase made and your signatures added to the inside of the resonator, photos taken of Janet handing me my Hartford we started to settle down for the highlight of the day,,,,, The evening concert. I had been told by BHO buddies that The Krugers were something special, so I was really looking forward to this, can you imagine the feeling of embarrassment when I realized the stranger that I had asked "Do you play" was Jens Kruger!