Biography
Few pianists have ascended to such early prominence in jazz as James Francies, a New York City-based composer whose crystalline tone and intricately syncopated, polyrhythmic handling of complex harmonies set him apart. Before turning twenty-three, he had already established himself as a sought-after sideman, performing and touring with figures that ranged from Chris Potter and Pat Metheny to the Roots and Chris Dave and the Drumhedz. His 2018 Blue Note debut Flight earned widespread praise, as did his contributions alongside Lauryn Hill, Bilal, Kodak Blac, and José James, which secured him a notable role in pop, R&B, and hip-hop as both composer and session musician. The follow-up Purest Form arrived on Blue Note in 2021.
Born in Houston, Texas, Francies started classical piano lessons at age five. His parents simultaneously immersed him in the city’s church music and classic R&B traditions. Endowed with perfect pitch and synesthesia, he was widely regarded as a prodigy from an early age. At six he attended his first jazz performance, given by fellow Houston native Joe Sample, and his path forward seemed determined. During junior high he began formal jazz studies, though his listening habits surprised instructors and classmates alike; alongside pianists such as Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Mulgrew Miller, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, and Taylor Eigsti, he absorbed the methods of guitarists Allan Holdsworth and Mike Moreno as well as trumpeters Nicholas Payton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, and Lee Morgan.
He enrolled at Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, an institution previously attended by Robert Glasper, Jason Moran, Kendrick Scott, Beyoncé, and Chris Dave. While there he received the Ruth and Eli Nadel Scholarship Award from the Stanford Jazz Workshop in both 2012 and 2013, a full scholarship to the Skidmore Summer Jazz Institute in Saratoga Springs, New York, and the Moran Scholarship Award from pianist and 2010 MacArthur Fellow Jason Moran. Francies performed with the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, the Thelonious Monk Institute All-Star Jazz Sextet, and the Grammy Jazz Session Combo, achievements that led to a full scholarship at Manhattan’s New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.
During his undergraduate studies he worked with NEA jazz master Joanne Brackeen. He quickly gained traction on the New York scene, securing a regular spot in drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts’ ensemble. Watts became a key mentor, advising him on the practicalities of the music industry and enabling Francies to undertake independent tours as well as engagements with Metheny and Potter. Through these activities he met Roots drummer Questlove, who, impressed by Francies’ playing, arranging, and composing, recruited him to substitute for keyboardist James Poyser on various dates, including multiple appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Questlove also involved him in the Roots-produced Hamilton cast recording and enlisted him as co-composer for the score of the film Vincent N’ Roxxy.
In late 2017 Francies signed with Blue Note Records and recorded his leader debut with co-producer Derrick Hodge, bassist of the Robert Glasper Experiment. He wrote or co-wrote ten of Flight’s eleven tracks and assembled a cast that included Potter, Moreno, vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Burniss Travis II, drummers Jeremy Dutton and Mike Mitchell, and vocalists YEBBA, Chris Turner, and Kate Kelsey-Sugg, each appearing on one selection. Released in October 2018, the album received broad critical acclaim and climbed the upper reaches of the jazz charts. That same year Francies began a collaboration with the Roots’ emcee Black Thought on a Broadway project.
In May 2021 he released his second Blue Note album, Purest Form. The core trio of bassist Burniss Travis and drummer Jeremy Dutton was augmented by alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, guitarist Mike Moreno, and vocalists Peyton, Elliott Skinner, and Bilal Oliver.
Born in Houston, Texas, Francies started classical piano lessons at age five. His parents simultaneously immersed him in the city’s church music and classic R&B traditions. Endowed with perfect pitch and synesthesia, he was widely regarded as a prodigy from an early age. At six he attended his first jazz performance, given by fellow Houston native Joe Sample, and his path forward seemed determined. During junior high he began formal jazz studies, though his listening habits surprised instructors and classmates alike; alongside pianists such as Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Mulgrew Miller, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, and Taylor Eigsti, he absorbed the methods of guitarists Allan Holdsworth and Mike Moreno as well as trumpeters Nicholas Payton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, and Lee Morgan.
He enrolled at Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, an institution previously attended by Robert Glasper, Jason Moran, Kendrick Scott, Beyoncé, and Chris Dave. While there he received the Ruth and Eli Nadel Scholarship Award from the Stanford Jazz Workshop in both 2012 and 2013, a full scholarship to the Skidmore Summer Jazz Institute in Saratoga Springs, New York, and the Moran Scholarship Award from pianist and 2010 MacArthur Fellow Jason Moran. Francies performed with the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, the Thelonious Monk Institute All-Star Jazz Sextet, and the Grammy Jazz Session Combo, achievements that led to a full scholarship at Manhattan’s New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.
During his undergraduate studies he worked with NEA jazz master Joanne Brackeen. He quickly gained traction on the New York scene, securing a regular spot in drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts’ ensemble. Watts became a key mentor, advising him on the practicalities of the music industry and enabling Francies to undertake independent tours as well as engagements with Metheny and Potter. Through these activities he met Roots drummer Questlove, who, impressed by Francies’ playing, arranging, and composing, recruited him to substitute for keyboardist James Poyser on various dates, including multiple appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Questlove also involved him in the Roots-produced Hamilton cast recording and enlisted him as co-composer for the score of the film Vincent N’ Roxxy.
In late 2017 Francies signed with Blue Note Records and recorded his leader debut with co-producer Derrick Hodge, bassist of the Robert Glasper Experiment. He wrote or co-wrote ten of Flight’s eleven tracks and assembled a cast that included Potter, Moreno, vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Burniss Travis II, drummers Jeremy Dutton and Mike Mitchell, and vocalists YEBBA, Chris Turner, and Kate Kelsey-Sugg, each appearing on one selection. Released in October 2018, the album received broad critical acclaim and climbed the upper reaches of the jazz charts. That same year Francies began a collaboration with the Roots’ emcee Black Thought on a Broadway project.
In May 2021 he released his second Blue Note album, Purest Form. The core trio of bassist Burniss Travis and drummer Jeremy Dutton was augmented by alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, guitarist Mike Moreno, and vocalists Peyton, Elliott Skinner, and Bilal Oliver.
Albums
Singles
