James Francies

Few jazz players have experienced the meteoric rise to prominence in their youth that pianist and composer James Francies did. Possessed of a crystalline tone and deeply syncopated, polyrhythmic approach to jazz's complex harmonic architecture, the New York City-based pianist was already an in-demand sideman and touring musician for artists ranging from Chris Potter and Pat Metheny to the Roots and Chris Dave and the Drumhedz -- all before his 23rd birthday. Flight, his 2018 Blue Note leader debut, was celebrated, as was his work with Lauryn Hill, Bilal, Kodak Blac, and José J...