Francis F

About Francis...

Francis is a classically trained musician, but what makes him truly stand out amongst others is his instinctive ability to adapt music from any genre onto the piano. Francis produces beautiful, creative and poignant arrangements for piano and has the ability and imagination to develop these arrangements to suit any event and any occasion.

Francis is also well known for his expertise in the Fats Waller stride style. He had the privilege of playing alongside Al Casey, an original member of ‘Fats Waller and his Rhythm’, the famous 1920s band. Francis has headlined numerous concerts celebrating Fats Waller’s music and has collaborated with some of the greatest Jazz Musicians in the UK today including Digby Fairweather, Roy Williams, Enrico Tomasso and Laurie Chescoe. He has also worked with Ben Cummings and Nick Millward from the world famous Kenny Ball Jazz Band.

Music and especially the piano has always been central to Francis’ life; he crucially believes in the power of music to capture memories, to bring people together, to heal and to communicate. From an early age he was entertaining friends with his interpretations of the music of Flanders and Swann and he went on to impress with performances of piano concerto themes by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov which he taught himself to play by ear. Francis is also a keen advocate and interpreter of the music of Jerome Kern, Ivor Novello, Richard Rogers and George Gershwin and he looks for any opportunity to indulge in those enticing melodies.

Francis has an instinctive versatility on the piano enabling him to play for a range of events, personalising each one according to the wishes and musical tastes of clients. Francis is highly sought after as a pianist for weddings and has played at some of the most prestigious venues across the UK. He also regularly plays at hotels in the West End providing a sophisticated ambience for special events and he enjoys opportunities to work for corporate clients. Recently, Francis has started to provide music for themed parties. So far, these events have included a Roaring ‘20s night, a night in Hollywood and special memorial events to mark the centenary of World War One.

If you are looking for a pianist with style, flexibility and imagination then look no further than Francis.