Erlend Krauser, born on July 19, 1958, in Timișoara, Romania, is a German-Romanian guitarist renowned for his virtuosity and innovative use of digital modeling technology. Raised in a musical family, his father, a classical musician and violin teacher, introduced him to the violin at age five.
Krauser later taught himself guitar and joined Phoenix, a leading Romanian rock band, before fleeing the oppressive regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu in the late 1970s. Settling in Hamburg, Germany, he embarked on a diverse career as a solo artist, studio musician, and composer for commercials and soundtracks.
Krauser’s breakthrough came in the early 1990s with his album Flight of the Phoenix (1992), blending rock, jazz, blues, and flamenco. Around this time, he formed his own band and caught the attention of James Last, joining the legendary bandleader’s orchestra for over two decades until Last’s death in 2015.
A pioneer in guitar technology, Krauser has embraced tools like the Kemper Profiler to enhance his performances. His discography includes albums like Talkin’ Guitar (1990) and Treasures (2023), reflecting his evolving artistry inspired by nature and personal experiences. Krauser continues to captivate audiences with his technical skill and emotive playing.
