Jena Kraus
Encyclopedia
Jena Kraus is an American singer/songwriter and self taught musician born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Discovered at the age of nine by vocal coach Rita Cavell and was thrust into the world of entertainment. Influenced heavily by her hippie parents vast record collection, she had written her first batch of songs before she was twelve.
On a dare, as a teenager, Jena entered a model search contest held by Ford Models
. After winning, and being hand picked by Eileen Ford
, Jena was invited to stay at Eileen Ford's home in the Upper East Side of New York City to being groomed for a career in modeling.
While still writing songs, and playing in the New York music scene she quickly lost her taste for the model lifestyle and decided to focus solely on music and forming a band. Though still underage she was able to charm her way into bars and night clubs to sing and play her songs while at the same time trying to find musicians to work with, when she met the then unknown members of the band Blind Melon
. They took Jena under their wing, introduced her around, recorded several demos with her, and later invited her to sing on the critically acclaimed song Mouthful Of Cavities
from their album Soup. She was featured singing along side Shannon Hoon
in the documentary, Letters From A Porcupine
. Jena later signed a deal with Warner/Chappell Music
and Irving Azoff
's Giant Records.
Several other musical endeavors followed including being featured in films, on movie soundtracks, jingles, and reuniting with Grammy winning songwriter Eric Bazilian
who had found her some years earlier singing on a street corner in Philly. Jena has contributed her voice to several other albums some of which include CKY
's, An Answer Can Be Found
and Joseph Arthur
's, Temporary People
. Kraus has been described as "...soulful, sweet, soothing, melodic, haunting, and angelic, with a knack for creating interesting harmonies.
On a dare, as a teenager, Jena entered a model search contest held by Ford Models
Ford Models
The Ford Modeling Agency, or as it is known today Ford Models, is a modeling agency in New York City. It was established in 1946 by Eileen and the late Gerard W. Ford.-Company:...
. After winning, and being hand picked by Eileen Ford
Eileen Ford
Eileen Ford is a model agency executive and co-founder, in 1946, with her late husband Gerard William "Jerry" Ford, of Ford Models, one of the earliest and internationally best known modelling agencies in the world.-Early life:...
, Jena was invited to stay at Eileen Ford's home in the Upper East Side of New York City to being groomed for a career in modeling.
While still writing songs, and playing in the New York music scene she quickly lost her taste for the model lifestyle and decided to focus solely on music and forming a band. Though still underage she was able to charm her way into bars and night clubs to sing and play her songs while at the same time trying to find musicians to work with, when she met the then unknown members of the band Blind Melon
Blind Melon
Blind Melon is an American rock band active from 1989 to 1999, and from 2006 onward.Best remembered for their 1993 single "No Rain", the group enjoyed critical and commercial success in the early 1990s with their neo-psychedelic take on alternative rock...
. They took Jena under their wing, introduced her around, recorded several demos with her, and later invited her to sing on the critically acclaimed song Mouthful Of Cavities
Blind Melon
Blind Melon is an American rock band active from 1989 to 1999, and from 2006 onward.Best remembered for their 1993 single "No Rain", the group enjoyed critical and commercial success in the early 1990s with their neo-psychedelic take on alternative rock...
from their album Soup. She was featured singing along side Shannon Hoon
Shannon Hoon
Richard Shannon Hoon was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He was the frontman and lead singer of the band Blind Melon until his death from a cocaine overdose in 1995.-Early life:...
in the documentary, Letters From A Porcupine
Letters from a porcupine
Letters from a Porcupine is a documentary style movie made up of footage from the musical career of the alternative rock band Blind Melon including music videos, interviews, live performances and home movie footage....
. Jena later signed a deal with Warner/Chappell Music
Warner/Chappell Music
Warner/Chappell Music, Inc. is an American music publishing company, and a division of the Warner Music Group. The company traces its origins back to 1811 and the founding of Chappell & Company, a music publishing company and instrument shop on London’s Bond Street that, in 1929, began a rapid...
and Irving Azoff
Irving Azoff
Irving Azoff is an American personal manager, representing recording artists in the music industry such as Christina Aguilera, Journey, Jewel, the Eagles, X Japan, Bush, REO Speedwagon, Seal, David Archuleta, Alter Bridge, Van Halen, 30 Seconds to Mars, Neil Diamond, New Kids on the Block, Steely...
's Giant Records.
Several other musical endeavors followed including being featured in films, on movie soundtracks, jingles, and reuniting with Grammy winning songwriter Eric Bazilian
Eric Bazilian
Eric M. Bazilian , is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer, best known for being a founding member of the rock band The Hooters.-Early life:...
who had found her some years earlier singing on a street corner in Philly. Jena has contributed her voice to several other albums some of which include CKY
CKY (band)
CKY is an American alternative metal band that formed in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1998. Centred around core members Deron Miller , Chad I Ginsburg and Jess Margera , the band shares its name with a skateboarding and stunt video series produced by Bam Margera, brother of drummer Jess...
's, An Answer Can Be Found
An Ånswer Can Be Found
-Personnel:Musicians*Deron Miller – Vocals, Guitar, Bass*Chad Ginsburg – Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Production, Mixing*Jess Margera – Drums*Jena Kraus - Backing Vocals on "The Way You Lived"Production personnel...
and Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
's, Temporary People
Temporary People
Temporary People is the seventh full-length studio album from singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Joseph Arthur, and the second with his band The Lonely Astronauts...
. Kraus has been described as "...soulful, sweet, soothing, melodic, haunting, and angelic, with a knack for creating interesting harmonies.