VIKTOR KRAUSS
Bassist/Composer Viktor Krauss (born Champaign, IL 1969) has been based in Nashville Tennessee since 1992. With nearly 600 album credits as either an instrumentalist, composer/songwriter or producer, his touring and recording career have included artists such as Lyle Lovett, Bill Frisell, James Taylor, Tom Jones, Shawn Colvin, Sheryl Crow, Carly Simon, Jerry Douglas, Kacey Musgraves, Buddy Miller, Chet Atkins, Larry Carlton, Shelby Lynne, James Newton Howard, The Chieftains, Peter Rowan, Harry Connick Jr. J.D. Souther, Joan Baez, Indigo Girls, Dolly Parton, Rodney Crowell, Graham Nash, Michael McDonald, John Fogerty, Elvis Costello, Kenny Rogers, Janis Ian, Jewel, and Michael Feinstein. Starting in 2022, Viktor joined Robert Plant and Alison Krauss as a multi-instrumentalist (electric guitar, six-string bass, piano) on the “Raise the Roof” tour. More tour dates with Plant and Krauss have been added for 2024.
In 2004, Krauss recorded his solo debut of his original compositions, Far From Enough (Nonesuch) featuring an all-star band consisting of Bill Frisell, Jerry Douglas, Steve Jordan, and Alison Krauss (peak position #6 Billboard® Contemporary Jazz Chart). Krauss' second album, II (EMI) , which featured core band guitarist Dean Parks and drummer Matt Chamberlain emerged three years later. In 2016, Vignette. a duo recording of original material with lever harpist extraordinaire Maeve Gilchrist was released.
Primarily instrumental music, Viktor cites that his original music could be described as "a soundtrack without a movie with nods to 'jazz and classic rock'." In 2006, Viktor was awarded a fellowship for the prestigious Film Composers' Lab at the Sundance Institute and his film composing credits include music for directors Ken Burns and the late Robert Altman. Viktor's original compositions from his solo recordings are used daily as musical "bumpers" for National Public Radio between programs. Housing a vast collection of vintage synthesizers, guitars, effect pedals, Viktor's "Split Window Studio" was completed for private and commercial use in late 2020.
NEWS/INSTAGRAM
ORIGINAL MUSIC RECORDINGS
VIKTOR KRAUSS - FAR FROM ENOUGH (Nonesuch 2004)
Viktor Krauss - bass, electric guitar, vocals
Jerry Douglas - slide guitars
Bill Frisell - electric and acoustic guitars
Steve Jordan - drums
Alison Krauss - vocals, viola
produced by Lee Townsend
recorded and mixed by: Jason Lehning
"Why is this a classic album? Because there is nothing else quite like it. To hear a group of musicians, all well known, and with a genuine superstar in Alison Krauss among them, move right out of their usual style and creating something quite beautiful." - Tim Martin Americana UK
VIKTOR KRAUSS - II (Back Porch Records 2007)
Viktor Krauss - bass, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboard instruments
Dean Parks - electric and acoustic guitars, cimbus
Matt Chamberlain - drums, percussion, electronics
with special guests: Shawn Colvin, Bill Frisell, Shweta Jhaveri, Lyle Lovett, Ben Taylor
produced by Lee Townsend
Engineered by Jason Lehning
MAEVE GILCHRIST/VIKTOR KRAUSS - VIGNETTE (Adventure Music 2017)
Maeve Gilchrist - Lever Harp, Piano
Viktor Krauss - bass, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboard instruments, electronic Percussion
produced by Viktor Krauss and Maeve Gilchrist
Engineered by Erick Jaskowiak
Mixed by Jason Lehning
MATT CHAMBERLAIN/VIKTOR KRAUSS/DAN PHELPS -
MODULAR 1(Oceanographic Records, LLC 2010)
Matt Chamberlain - Drums
Viktor Krauss - bass, felt piano, bass synth, electric piano, high strung acoustic guitar
Dan Phelps - guitar, computer, dirt piano
Eyvind Kang - Violin, Viola
produced by Dan Phelps, Viktor Krauss, Matt Chamberlain
Engineered by Martin Woodlee
Mixed by Martin Woodlee and Dan Phelps