Nicolas Krassik

The 39-year-old French violinist, Nicolas Krassik started his studies at 5 years of age at the Conservatoire National de Region d'Aubervilliers-la Courneuve, where he studied during 14 years and graduated in classical music. He then went to study at the Jazz school (Centre de Fomation Musicale de Paris) for another year. From this point on he started his professional career playing with great names in Jazz, such as Michel Petrucciani, Vincent Courtois, Didier Lockwood, Pierrick Hardy, among others.

In 1999, Nicolas was invited to teach classes in improvisation at the Jazz School founded by the renowned violinist Didier Lockwood. During his continuous search for new sounds he discovered a great connection to Brazilian music and so decided to move to Brazil in 2001. Upon his arrival in Rio he started to go to Samba and Choro shows and jam sessions in Lapa, an old neighborhood in Rio with a strong musical effervescence.

His quick integration into the Brazilian music scene resulted in the beginning of a promising solo career. Some of his most important guest participations:
-CD “Nome Sagrado” and DVD “A madrinha do Samba” by the singer Beth Carvalho
-CD by Argemiro Patrocínio, of the Velha Guarda da Portela produced by Marisa Monte and Paulão ‘7 cordas’
-CD “Café Brasil II” by the band Época de Ouro
-CDs by Marisa Monte “Infinito particular” and “Universo ao meu redor”
He has already played with renowned artists like: Yamandú Costa, Beth Carvalho, João Bosco, Marisa Monte, Marco Pereira, Paulo Sérgio Santos, Henrique Cazes, Zé Carlos Bigorna, Hamilton de Holanda, Carlos Malta, Chico Chagas, Maria Teresa Madeira, Zé da Velha, Silvério Pontes, among others.

After the success of “Na Lapa” (2004) and “Caçuá” (2008), a mix of Choro, Samba and Baião, Nicolas released a third CD called “Nicolas Krassik”, playing northeastern Brazilian music. In addition to his own groups, the “Nicolas Krassik trio” and the group “Cordestinos”, Nicolas plays with the trio of the acoustic guitarist, Yamandú Costa.