violin – Julien Labro

“From This Point Forward” included in ‘Ten New Classical…

May 21, 2015December 31, 2018
by julien

By John von Rhein

New albums find Chicago classical musicians, ensembles and composers blazing new artistic paths, moving into unusual areas of the repertory, refusing to be pigeonholed. Here is a sampling of some of the more significant recent releases that reflect this trend:

“From This Point Forward.” Julien Labro and Spektral Quartet (Azica): What hath Astor Piazzolla’s nuevo tango revolution wrought? You can hear music by some of the Argentinian tango master’s successors in this album of tangy instrumental arrangements, crafted and engagingly performed by the virtuosic Julien Labro (playing bandoneon and accordions) and the Spektral Quartet. Hang on tight as you plunge into the title track, Fernando Otero’s “De Ahora en Mas,” a frisky ride on a hurtling Latin roller coaster. No more enjoyable crossover release has come my way so far this year.

Read the rest of list!

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The next accordion star: Julien Labro

May 14, 2014June 21, 2014
by julien

by Howard Reich
May 13, 2014

The accordion doesn’t get much respect in the United States – not since “The Lawrence Welk Show” and uncounted polka bands placed the instrument well outside the realm of chic.

Nevertheless, the glorious squeezebox holds a noble tradition in jazz, with artists such as Art Van Damme, Leon Sash, Guy Klucevsek, Richard Galliano and Astor Piazzolla (playing bandoneon) proving the instrument can convey lightning virtuosity and profound musicality as eloquently as any other.

The latest and most promising addition to this regal list is Julien Labro, whom Chicagoans have heard dispensing his wizardry in various club and concert halls but never quite the way he does in a surprisingly seductive new album, “From This Point Forward” (Azica). Playing with Chicago’s Spektral Quartet, which will celebrate the release with him Wednesday night at City Winery, Labro emerges as a triple threat: brilliant technician, poetic melodist and cunning arranger. Read the full article here.

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Stylistic Maneuvers

July 18, 2013September 24, 2013
by julien

Can’t wait to continue my collaboration with Spektral Quartet, we have some dates coming up this Summer & Fall and recording a CD in late September.

STYLISTIC MANEUVERS

Posted by Austin Wulliman on Jul 17, 2013

I’ve never been the kind of musician (or music fan) who feels the need to be exclusive in my tastes. While it may surprise some of you who are more familiar with me writing about Haas or Carter, I’m just as likely to listen to Ke$ha or Chick Corea’s “My Spanish Heart” without the slightest tinge of irony.

If I spend too long playing strictly concert hall music, I get a bit itchy. I’m certainly listening to other stuff, like my recent obsession from an amazing super-group.

That’s why the the beginnings of our collaboration with Julien Labro for an album on Azica Records have brought me musical energy just when I thought I was burnt out from a long concert season.

Rest of the post here

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Milonga Loca! by Austin Wulliman

June 25, 2012
by julien

Just a few short weeks ago, we Spektrals had the amazing experience of playing with the multi-talented Julien Labro in a set of tangos by Astor Piazzolla. From word “go” at rehearsal, it was obvious that we were dealing with a musician with an intense and vibrant energy. We started with the languid and yearning “Asleep” from Piazzolla’s “Five Tango Sensations”. Julien’s opening phrase seemed to stretch on and on in an unending breath inward on the bandoneon.

After that, we tackled “Fear” from the same suite, and things got interesting. In the final moments of the fugue-like dance, the quartet was doing a whipped release from a long note. I was playing it loose in rehearsal…apparently far too loose, since the tip of my bow snagged the far corner of my instrument and pulled part of the top of my instrument off! After a bit of a break to deal with that dilemma, we only had more fun playing together. The tunes fell together naturally and we had a fantastic time in performance.

Link to this blog entry and Spektral Quartet