Jena Kraus

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, Kraus wrote her first collection of songs before the age of twelve, influenced heavily by her hippie parents' vast record collection. As a teenager, on a dare, Kraus entered a model search contest held by Ford Models and won, chosen by Eileen Ford herself to be mentored for a modeling career at her agency. After moving to New York City, she quickly lost interest in modelling and pursued a music career instead. Though still underage, she regularly performed in the New York nightclub music scene.

Jena Kraus
Background information
Birth name	Jena Kraus
Born	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	Rock, folk, soul
Occupation(s)	Singer, musician, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Labels	Warner/Chappell Music, Giant Records (Warner) Revolution Records
Associated acts	Blind Melon
Website	jenakraus.com

Seeking musicians to work with, Kraus met members of Blind Melon, the band that recorded several demos with her. Kraus went on to sing on their critically acclaimed song "Mouthful Of Cavities" from the band's album Soup, and she was later featured singing it alongside Shannon Hoon in the documentary Letters from a Porcupine . She subsequently signed a solo deal with Warner/Chappell Music and Irving Azoff's Giant Records. Kraus has been featured in films, and her work used on movie soundtracks, and in jingles. She has collaborated with Grammy-winning songwriter Eric Bazilian who met her some years earlier while singing on a street corner in Philadelphia. Kraus‘ vocal contributions span musical genres on albums as diverse as CKY's An Answer Can Be Found to Joseph Arthur's Temporary People.