(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Iconic jam-band guitarist and producer Eric Krasno brings his band and soul-rock jams to Club Helsinki Hudson on Saturday, July 9, at 9pm. Krasno is best known as guitarist for jam-rock avatars Soulive and Lettuce, but releases his first solo album, “Blood from a Stone,” the day before his Helsinki show.

Eric Krasno was a founding member of the Woodstock-based soul-jam trio Soulive, in which he joined with brothers Alan and Neal Evans, who had been the rhythm section of Moon Boot Lover. Soulive rose to the top of the jam-band heap, headlining festivals as well as opening concerts for the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, the Roots, John Mayer and others. Krasno has always played with Phil Lesh and Friends.

With Neal Evans, Krasno formed funk-jam band Lettuce in Boston in 1992 with a group of fellow students from Berklee College of Music.

Among his other credits, Krasno is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and guitarist (Derek Trucks Band “Already Free” and Tedeschi Trucks Band “Revelator”) and a Grammy-nominated producer (Ledisi “Turn Me Loose” and Matisyahu “Light”). Krasno has produced songs and/or records for a diverse list of artists including Norah Jones, 50 Cent, Talib Kweli, Justin Timberlake, Ledisi, Chaka Khan, Vieux Farka Toure, Dave Matthews and Aaron Neville.

In recent years, Krasno has been on tour with Tedeschi Trucks Band (on bass), Pretty Lights (also playing guitar and bass on the Grammy-nominated album “Color Map of the Sun”) and was a part of the Hollywood Bowl tribute to James Brown featuring D’Angelo, Aloe Blacc and many others. Last year, Krasno launched his label Feel Records with partners Round Hill Music.

Krasno’s rousing new solo album, ‘Blood From a Stone,’ reveals a previously unknown and utterly compelling side of his artistry, though, inviting us to bear witness as he both literally and metaphorically finds his voice.

“I’ve been writing songs with vocals for other people for a while,” explains Krasno, who sings for the first time on ‘Blood From a Stone.’ “With these songs, we initially wrote them thinking others would sing them, so when I was in the studio with different artists, sometimes I’d introduce one of the tracks and they’d record it, but it wouldn’t necessarily work out. Eventually, I realized it was because I’d written these songs for myself.”

“Growing up, I listened to Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and the Grateful Dead, along with a lot of hip-hop,” remembers Krasno.  “When I linked up with Soulive, we played instrumental music, and that’s the path I’ve mostly been on ever since. This record loops back to those initial bands and songs I loved, but with the added experience and influence of the past 20 years.”

As it turns out, Krasno’s voice has been an ace up his sleeve this whole time. Rich, warm, and full-bodied, his tone blends earnest sincerity with casual swagger and, much like his guitar playing, taps into a deep vein of emotion.

“It’s something I didn’t know was there,” he concludes. “I would have been totally content just being a guitar player and writing songs for other people, but this inspiration just happened, and I’m really glad it did, because it’s changed things. I didn’t know I had this in me.”

 

For reservations in The Restaurant or in the club call 518.828.4800.