Jens Kruger
Best known for
Banjo
Jens Kruger is the Swiss-born banjoist of the Kruger Brothers and a 2013 Steve Martin Banjo Prize laureate — the first non-American to receive the award, and a banjo innovator credited with developing his own three-finger style and designing the Deering Kruger signature line.
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- Born November 18, 1962 in Rothrist, Switzerland (family of German origin); began playing banjo at age 10 and was performing with bands by age 12.
- Inspired toward bluegrass by Flatt & Scruggs's "Strictly Instrumental" album in 1976; busked European cities with brother Uwe starting in 1979.
- Performed with Bill Monroe in the early 1980s, an experience that shaped his approach to American roots music.
- Reunited with Uwe in 1987 and co-founded the Kruger Brothers trio (with bassist Joel Landsberg) in 1995.
- Awarded the Steve Martin Banjo Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music in 2013 — the first prize-winner born outside the United States.
- Director of R&D at Deering Banjo Company since 2003; designs the signature Kruger banjo line and is widely credited as a banjo innovator.
- Inducted into the International Banjo Hall of Fame, Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, American Folk Music Hall of Fame, Wilkes County Hall of Fame; 2021 American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame (5-String Performance).
- Honorary citizen of North Carolina and of Calgary, Canada; received U.S. citizenship in January 2025.
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The Kruger BrothersPlayed on recordings with The Kruger Brothers
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The Kruger Brothers and Keiser TwinsPlayed on recording with The Kruger Brothers and Keiser Twins
