adrian RASO

A musician whose playing is as stylish and distinctive as the well-cut suits he wears, Adrian Raso is a Canadian original.

Raso’s latest album, The Devil Rides Again - his 2025 collaboration with Romanian Roma brass band Fanfare Ciocărlia – topped the European World Music charts and demonstrated his gift for composing and playing with musicians from different cultures.

A virtuoso string musician who refuses to rely on his technique, Adrian Raso undertakes adventures in sound. His unique style finds him blending jazz and rockabilly, Latin grooves and Balkan brass, Italian folk and funk, country and classical, soul and surf, always emphasising melody, lyricism and dynamic rhythms.

“Technique is important,” says Raso, “but only in the sense it allows me as a musician to listen, understand and engage with other musicians. I’m not interested in showing off how fast I can play my scales – as a musician I’m a servant of those listening: I want the listeners to have a good time.”

Born and raised in Guelph, Ontario, to an Italian father from Calabria and a Canadian mother, Raso grew up in a house full of music. As a child he dreamt of becoming a professional hockey player then, aged 13, Adrian heard Prince for the first time.

“I started playing guitar after hearing Prince’s Let’s Go Crazy - I never realized a guitar could sound like that! I found a really bad acoustic guitar at a garage sale for $7 on my paper route. I bought it and became totally obsessed, playing 10-12 hours a day. I was learning everything by ear and my grandma would sing the melody until I could piece together the notes.”

Playing guitar in high school bands found Adrian and pals soon working local bars “years before we were old enough to get served in them.” Aged 19 he started teaching guitar, quickly developing into a much in-demand musical mentor.

“I opened the Guelph School Of Guitar in 2002 and have taught hundreds of people since that point. I play a little of most instruments but mainly focus on stringed instruments: banjo, bass, mandolin, lap steel, etc. At one point I was teaching 90-100 students per week, alongside online lessons. This really helped me get versatile with my playing and songwriting due to being exposed to many different forms of music.”

Since releasing his debut solo album, Electric Medusa in 2004, Raso has released eleven more albums that demonstrate both his compositional skills and distinct, lyrical playing. From playing in rock bands to recording with acclaimed percussionist Sheila E. and Prince’s drummer Michael Bland, through to creating original instrumental music is, says Raso, an outgrowth of teaching.

“Working with pupils who were wanting to play all kinds of music led me to realise its best not to be confined by genre. Also, the blend of Canadian and Calabrian culture I grew up with ensured I have open ears. And playing instrumental music has given me so much freedom.”

As with many guitarists, Raso considers Django Reinhardt an inspiration. “I love the traditional Manouche Gypsy jazz players, but I have no interest in playing Django covers and jazz standards. If I have a distinctive sound it comes from the fact that I have tried to avoid sounding like others as much as possible.”

Indeed, Raso’s engagement with musicians from different cultures led to his collaboration with Fanfare Ciocărlia, the world’s most popular brass band.

“I was stunned by their sound,” says Raso, “and wondered if I might be able to compose music for them. I did so with no idea how they might respond – no Balkan brass band has ever recorded with a guitarist previously – yet when I approached them they understood what I was aiming for. We recorded the Devil’s Tale album in 2014 with no preconceptions. Everyone around me said it would never work, but I really believed this collaboration could be something unique.”

And unique it proved: Devil’s Tale’s pioneering fusion of electric guitar with an Eastern brass orchestra wowed listeners and topped several European charts. Music from it was employed on the soundtrack for the second Borat film and Raso would tour Europe with the Romanians, his guitar and banjo playing extending Balkan brass’s range. 2025 found Raso and Fanfare reuniting for The Devil Rides Again - here he’s again written the majority of the album’s music (alongside standards by Dolly Parton, Steve Winwood and – yes – Django Reinhardt).

“Collaborating with Fanfare Ciocărlia is so exhilarating – they’re a 12-piece brass orchestra and, if they wanted to, they could play solos that would stun top jazz musicians, but they ensure people party when they play. I love it when we tour Europe – its quite primal, a real celebration.”

Adrian Raso continues to collaborate with a variety of musicians alongside his own projects. He’s currently creating music for film/TV producers while writing a symphony – “to record my compositions with an orchestra is my dream.” Guelph’s native son’s musical quest is far from over.

“Since as long as I can remember I've been fascinated with creating. Music was (and is) the perfect medium to keep my mind constantly challenged. The endless variation and quest to find perfect simplicity, perfect melody. I do this to let the listener escape and feel something - that's what great music and artists do for me. Music seems to connect with people regardless of age/gender/race, it still gives people hope, happiness, and a little fun. I like that.”