James Francies Trio at MATCH - Midtown Arts & Theater Center

“already a force on the ground in New York: He’s a pianist with liquid dynamism in his touch” — The New York Times

“He’s dealing! His fast runs sound like Art Tatum. Really a bright glow to his touch.” — Ethan Iverson of The Bad Plus

Even before moving to New York in 2013, 20-year old Houston native pianist and HSPVA grad James Francies had generated a well-deserved buzz. DownBeat honored him twice for Composition and Jazz Arrangement and he performed at the famed Monterey Jazz Festival. Pianist Taylor Eigsti says Francies is “poised to become a major voice on the instrument...

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“already a force on the ground in New York: He’s a pianist with liquid dynamism in his touch” — The New York Times

“He’s dealing! His fast runs sound like Art Tatum. Really a bright glow to his touch.” — Ethan Iverson of The Bad Plus

Even before moving to New York in 2013, 20-year old Houston native pianist and HSPVA grad James Francies had generated a well-deserved buzz. DownBeat honored him twice for Composition and Jazz Arrangement and he performed at the famed Monterey Jazz Festival. Pianist Taylor Eigsti says Francies is “poised to become a major voice on the instrument. He has the passion, creativity and ability to be a real leader amongst his generation.” Francies has toured internationally with Jeff “Tain” Watts, Chris Dave and Drumhedz and Stefon Harris’s Sonic Creed. He has appeared with The Roots, Nas, Jadakiss and Raekwon (Wu Tang Clan) during 2015 NBA All-Star Weekend, and has recorded with Watts and Robert Glasper. Francies can often be seen on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with the Roots. He appears on the Glasper-produced soundtrack for the documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? Mr. Francies also collaborates frequently with drummer and producer ?uestlove of the Roots. twitter:@thekingjames88

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