Julian Labro in Summer Concerts

August 1st 2021
Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor Accordion USA News
Julian Labro

Video: “Rosetta” (Earl Hines)
Jazz accordion master Art Van Damme would have celebrated his 100th birthday on April 9, 2020. Julian shares, “Here is a video with his signature quintet sound and trademark riffs. I am grateful to colleagues and friends Christian Tamburr, Olli Soikkeli, Eduardo Belo and Richie Barshay for their awesome musical contribution to this #quarantine quintet!”

Heralded as “the next accordion star,” Julien Labro has established himself as an important accordion and bandoneón player in both the classical and jazz genres. Deemed to be “a triple threat: brilliant technician, poetic melodist and cunning arranger,” his artistry, virtuosity, and creativity as a musician, composer and arranger have earned him international acclaim and he continues to astonish audiences worldwide.

Picking up the accordion at nine years old, French-born Labro’s earliest influence was traditional folk music and the melodic, lyrical quality of the French chanson. After graduating from the Marseille Conservatory and sweeping first prize in many international accordion competitions, Labro moved to the United States to further pursue his musical dream.

Equipped with advanced degrees in classical music, jazz studies, and composition, Labro draws from his diverse background and eclectic musical influences in his search for new themes and untried concepts, evolving and developing his ideas into new projects. Labro has worked with numerous symphonies, chamber ensembles and collaborators around the world. His albums and busy performance schedule is a testament of his musical journey.

Future live USA performances include:

Date Artist City Venue Country
08/14/21 Berks Jazz Festival (Django Reinhardt program w/ the Reading Pops Orchestra): Reading, PA Berks Jazz Festival

08/19/21 Julien Labro & the Django Collective: Vail, CO Vail Jazz Festival

09/04/21 Maria Schneider Orchestra: Washington, (D.C.) DC JazzFest

11/06/21 That’s Not Tango—Astor Piazzolla, A Life in Music: Amarillo, TX Chamber Music Amarillo