Julien Labro is a French-born bandoneon and accordion soloist, composer, and arranger. His work spans orchestral and chamber music, tango, jazz, and contemporary repertoire.
“A triple threat: brilliant technician, poetic melodist, and cunning arranger.”
French folk music and chanson came first. Jazz opened up improvisation and rhythmic freedom. Piazzolla’s music led him to the bandoneon.
Labro began playing accordion at nine in France. He graduated from the Marseille Conservatory of Music and won top prizes at major international competitions. In 1998, he moved to the United States, where he continued advanced studies in classical music, jazz, and composition.
Today, he brings both bandoneon and accordion to the concert stage. The score and the ensemble guide his choice of instrument — whether he's performing a concerto, joining a string quartet, or composing something new.
Explore the two instruments
An orchestra, a quartet, a conversation between two players.
Labro performs Piazzolla, contemporary concertos, original works, jazz, and new commissions with collaborators across these settings.
Explore soloist & orchestra repertoireHis educational work includes master classes and residencies at Princeton University, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Labro composes and arranges for bandoneon, accordion, chamber ensembles, and orchestra.
2024 Latin Grammy nominee
Best Classical Contemporary Composition
Written for bandoneon and string quartet, Meditation No. 1 was created specifically for the collaboration with the Takács Quartet through Music Accord. It was presented alongside commissioned works by Bryce Dessner and Clarice Assad.
Hear Takács, Assad & LabroAn original concerto for accordion and orchestra, commissioned and premiered by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra in 2025.
An original concerto for bandoneon and string orchestra, commissioned and premiered during a two-week tour of South Korea in 2021.
An original concerto for accordion and orchestra, commissioned and premiered by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in 2015.
Biographies and press materials for presenters, journalists, and collaborators.
Share the orchestra, ensemble, dates, and musical idea. Julien’s team can help with repertoire, format, and performing materials.
