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, Rovi
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Lost Myself |
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Silence |
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Leave Me Alone |