Julien Labro is a French-born classical music artist who has made a name for himself as a virtuoso accordionist, bandoneonist, and composer. Born on December 3, 1980, in Rodez, France, Labro grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. His father was a jazz guitarist, and his mother was a classical pianist, so he was surrounded by music from different genres. Labro started playing the accordion at the age of nine and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He began taking lessons from a local accordion teacher and soon started performing at local events and festivals. As he grew older, he became more interested in jazz and started listening to recordings by jazz accordionists such as Richard Galliano and Astor Piazzolla. In 1999, Labro moved to Paris to study music at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. He studied under the renowned accordionist Frédéric Guérouet and also took classes in jazz improvisation and composition. During his time at the conservatory, Labro won several awards and competitions, including the First Prize in the International Accordion Competition in Castelfidardo, Italy, in 2000. After graduating from the conservatory in 2003, Labro moved to the United States to pursue a career in music. He settled in Chicago, where he quickly became a sought-after performer and collaborator. He played with a variety of jazz and classical musicians, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Spektral Quartet, and the Avalon String Quartet. In 2005, Labro formed his own group, the Julien Labro Quartet, which featured Labro on accordion and bandoneon, guitarist John McLean, bassist Jared Schonig, and drummer Dana Hall. The group quickly gained a following in Chicago and started touring nationally and internationally. They released their debut album, "From This Point Forward," in 2009, which received critical acclaim and helped establish Labro as a rising star in the jazz world. In addition to his work with the Julien Labro Quartet, Labro has collaborated with a wide range of musicians and ensembles. He has performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the New York Pops, among others. He has also worked with jazz musicians such as Paquito D'Rivera, Chris Potter, and Cassandra Wilson. Labro's versatility as a musician has also led him to explore other genres of music. He has performed with the Grammy-nominated folk group The Decemberists and has collaborated with the French pop singer Thomas Dutronc. He has also composed music for film and television, including the score for the documentary "The Accordion Kings." Throughout his career, Labro has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a musician. In 2014, he was named "Rising Star" in the DownBeat Critics Poll for the accordion category. He has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Latin Jazz Album for his collaboration with Pablo Aslan on "Piazzolla in Brooklyn" in 2010. Labro continues to perform and record music, pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the accordion and bandoneon. He is known for his virtuosic playing, his innovative compositions, and his ability to blend different genres of music into a cohesive whole. With his unique voice and his dedication to his craft, Julien Labro is a true original in the world of classical music.

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