Eric Krasno

Eric "Kraz" Krasno operates out of New York as a Grammy-winning guitarist, composer, recording artist, and producer whose primary recognition stems from the co-founding of Soulive and Lettuce. A seasoned touring sideman and studio collaborator, he maintains a signature warm, melodic, and chunky tone on the instrument. His foundational influences span funk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop. As a sought-after songwriter he has composed for and helmed sessions by Norah Jones, Aaron Neville, Talib Kweli, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Ledisi. His first solo album, Reminisce, appeared in 2010; six years later came Blood from a Stone, followed in 2022 by Always, his initial release on Germany’s Provogue imprint.

Krasno grew up across the New York City suburbs and Fairfield County, Connecticut. His earliest musical exposure came through his grandfather, a working pianist steeped in gypsy jazz and swing, along with his older brother and father, both skilled though non-professional players. Classic rock albums by Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jeff Beck, and Grateful Dead shaped his choice to pursue guitar; he joined local groups while still in high school. After graduation he spent one semester at the Berklee School of Music before moving to Hampshire College. Although brief, that Berklee period included a summer program during which he met the future founding members of the funk/jam ensemble Lettuce. The group formed while its members were still teenagers and has maintained an active recording and touring presence ever since. In 1999 Krasno united with brothers Alan and Neal Evans plus Sam Kininger to launch Soulive, a jazz/hip-hop/folk/groove collective that has issued recordings on several imprints including Blue Note and, like Lettuce, maintains an intensive touring calendar.

Krasno entered production work with Talib Kweli’s Quality in 2002. His profile among hip-hop artists expanded quickly, leading to further sessions—credited under assorted names—with Redman and Pharoah Monch as well as R&B, jazz, pop, and rock figures such as Keyshia Cole, Allen Stone, Dave Matthews Band, Justin Timberlake, and Nigel Hall. His guitar contributions have also appeared on albums and tours by the Beatnuts, Snoop Dog, Sonya Kitchell, Vieux Farka Touré, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, and Dr. Lonnie Smith.

Reminisce, his debut solo effort, surfaced in 2010 on SOI; he toured with his own band while sustaining activity alongside Lettuce and Phil Lesh & Friends. The follow-up, Blood from a Stone, arrived in July 2016 via Feel Records, preceded by the singles “Waiting for Your Love” and “On the Rise.” That collection marked the first appearance of his lead vocals together with his guitar work and songwriting. He and his road sextet spent the summer on the road supporting Dumpstaphunk. The same year he produced Aaron Neville’s Apache, assembling a studio band drawn from Lettuce, Soulive, the Dap-Kings, and Budos Band. Three years afterward he co-produced and performed on Poetry in Motion, the Mack Avenue debut by New Orleans brass band the Soul Rebels. Krasno joined Germany’s Provogue roster in 2021 and delivered the roots-oriented solo album Always the next year.