Joel Landsberg
Best known for
Bass
Joel Landsberg is a New York-born bassist who studied under jazz legend Milt Hinton, moved to Switzerland in 1989, and has anchored the Kruger Brothers trio since 1995 — the bass voice in one of the most distinctive Swiss-American crossover acts in bluegrass.
- Born July 27, 1959 in New York City.
- Studied bass under jazz legend Milt Hinton during college years; older brother Norman Landsberg was a touring pianist/producer.
- Won an American Harmonica Competition at age 12; trained on piano early in life before bass became primary.
- Moved to Switzerland in 1989; met Uwe and Jens Kruger that same year and began playing in shared bands.
- Joined the Kruger Brothers as the trio's exclusive bassist in 1995; first trio recording "Behind the Barn, Vol. 2" (1997).
- Played MerleFest debut in 1997, leading to extensive U.S. touring.
- Relocated with the trio to Wilkes County, North Carolina in 2003.
- Plays both upright and electric bass; volunteers as an EMT in Wilkes County.