* En anglais uniquement
Eric "Kraz" Krasno is a New York-based, Grammy-winning guitarist, songwriter, recording artist, and producer best known for his work with
Soulive and
Lettuce, bands he co-founded. A well-traveled sideman and producer,
Krasno has a distinctly warm, melodic, chunky guitar sound. His musical roots lie in funk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop. He is also a first-call songwriter who has written for and produced a range of artists in a variety of genres, including
Norah Jones,
Aaron Neville,
Talib Kweli,
Tedeschi Trucks Band, and
Ledisi.
Krasno released his debut solo album, Reminisce, in 2010 and followed it six years later with
Blood from a Stone. In 2022, he issued
Always, his first outing for Germany's Provogue label.
Krasno was raised in the suburbs of New York City and in Fairfield County, Connecticut. His earliest influences were his musician grandfather, a professional pianist who played gypsy jazz and swing, as well as his older brother and father, also accomplished musicians though amateurs. His early attraction to classic rock records from
Led Zeppelin,
the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix Experience,
Jeff Beck, and
Grateful Dead influenced his decision to become a guitarist. He began playing in local bands during high school. After graduating,
Krasno attended the Berklee School of Music for one semester before transferring to Hampshire College. Despite the brevity of his time at Berklee, it was during a summer program there that he encountered other founding members of the funk/jam unit
Lettuce. The band formed while its members were still in their teens, and they have been a going concern in both the studio and on concert stages since then. In 1999,
Krasno joined brothers
Alan and
Neal Evans, as well as
Sam Kininger, to co-found
Soulive, a jazz/hip-hop/folk/groove unit who recorded for several labels including Blue Note, and like
Lettuce, they're known for a rigorous touring schedule.
Krasno began his career as a producer on
Kweli's
Quality in 2002. His reputation spread among hip-hop artists, and under various monikers he worked with a variety of rappers including
Redman and Pharoah Monche, and R&B, jazz, pop, and rock artists including
Keyshia Cole,
Allen Stone,
Dave Matthews Band,
Justin Timberlake, and Nigel Hall. As a guitarist,
Krasno's work has graced albums and tours by everyone from
the Beatnuts,
Snoop Dog, and
Sonya Kitchell to
Vieux Farka Touré,
Christian McBride,
Joshua Redman, and
Dr. Lonnie Smith.
Krasno issued Reminisce, his debut solo album, in 2010 on SOI, and toured with his own group while continuing to play and record with
Lettuce and Phil Lesh & Friends. His sophomore offering,
Blood from a Stone, was released in July 2016 through Feel Records. It was preceded by the singles "Waiting for Your Love" and "On the Rise." The set showcased his lead vocals for the first time alongside his playing and songwriting.
Krasno and his road sextet toured throughout the summer supporting
Dumpstaphunk. The same year, he produced
Neville's
Apache album; the studio band he recruited for the project included members of
Lettuce,
Soulive,
the Dap-Kings, and
Budos Band. Three years later,
Krasno co-produced and played on Poetry in Motion, the Mack Avenue debut of New Orleans brass band
the Soul Rebels.
Krasno signed with Germany's Provogue label in 2021 and released the rootsy solo album
Always the following year. ~ Thom Jurek