Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
In Memoriam: Cassandra Wilson, 1955–2026
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
Pianist James Francies has released his Blue Note debut, Flight.
(Photo: Jati Lindsay)In 2015, when pianist James Francies signed with Blue Note, he was a 20-year-old sophomore at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music with an elite resume. He had improvised at the highest levels with drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts and vibraphonist Stefon Harris, plugged in with drummer Chris Dave, served as a sub with The Roots on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and appeared on the soundtrack to the 2015 Netflix documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?
But the Houston native remained in school, earning his BFA and bolstering his reputation. He played on Chance The Rapper’s 2016 hit “No Problem,” and has performed with a diverse array of artists, including Common, Nas, Lauryn Hill, José James, Pat Metheny, Chris Potter and Eric Harland.
Francies accesses all these experiences on his Blue Note debut, Flight, with bassist Burniss Travis II and drummer Jeremy Dutton, from his group, Kinetic, several vocalists and guest instrumentalists Potter, vibraphonist Joel Ross and guitarist Mike Moreno.
“The record goes a bunch of places, but a spine threads through it,” Francies said. “Instead of playing a bunch of notes and songs everyone knows, I wanted to show my different layers.”
The album showcases what pianist Aaron Parks describes as Francies’ “undeniable technical virtuosity,” marked by “remarkable independence between his hands that lets him keep two very distinct, coherent ideas—sometimes it feels like three—going on all at once.”
Consider “Reciprocal,” on which all members soar cogently through the 21/8 form; or “Crib,” on which Francies and Potter converse at length over gnarly changes; or his efflorescent opening solo on “Sway,” a beautiful line that Francies wrote in high school.
But for the most part, Francies reserves pyrotechnics for the numerous concerts he expects to do with Kinetic next year. He takes his time, develops motifs, focuses on storytelling. On “Dark Purple,” a spacey, swirly, rubato ballad, Francies—whose synesthetic visions direct his creative flow—enters “a Zen place as different colors pass by.” He generates richly orchestrated layers of harmony and colors to surround Chris Turner’s incantatory lyric on the kaleidoscopic “Dreaming” and to frame his lyric solo on the opening section of “A Lover And A Fighter,” whose final section upholds the band’s sobriquet.
“It’s like a wave, constant motion that we add to and remove things from,” Francies said of his attitude toward rhythm. “It feels like flying—we’re somewhere else for that hour we perform. It’s defying fear, finding a higher place, believing and trusting in yourself. When birds fly, they trust their wings and the air around them. If you think about it too much, it probably won’t happen.”
“Pointing out a single song doesn’t do James justice,” said Derrick Hodge, who produced the album. “There aren’t many James Francies-isms. What makes him unique is the album’s flow, the contrast from song to song, his willingness to throw himself into different situations—to be in the moment and put what’s honestly him on the line when the lights are on, with the confidence he’ll land on his feet. He doesn’t worry about being judged.”
Francies evolved this aesthetic ethos coming up in what he described as an “iffy” section of Houston. “I was probably the only person in my neighborhood going to a magnet school,” he said, referring to the exemplary High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
He played sermons at his parents’ church and, from age 14 through 17, led a gigging jazz trio modeled on Oscar Peterson, an early hero. His real-world experiences “reinforced that this isn’t a joke,” he said. “People who are supporting families are sacrificing to hear you play. Some people waited all week to hear you, or didn’t eat that day because they wanted to go to a concert.
“For me, music is music. Always play from your heart, with empathy and authenticity. It doesn’t matter where you are—I’d play the same in front of you for an hour as I would with The Roots in front of thousands of people. There’s a saying, ‘If you’re always ready, then you never have to be ready.’” DB
Wilson’s ability to connect to audiences helped her to win two Grammy awards and multiple other accolades. She was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2022.
Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
“The love from the jazz and music community restored my faith in humanity,” Walia wrote in an online post upon his release from detention at an ICE facility.
Aug 18, 2026 2:15 PM
Indian jazz guitarist and composer Pritesh Walia has been released after being unexpectedly detained by ICE and taken…
Percussionist Poncho Sanchez was among the artists scheduled to perform at the now-canceled inaugural LA Jazz Festival.
Aug 11, 2026 12:53 PM
The inaugural LA Jazz Festival, originally scheduled to run Aug. 7–23 with dozens of events across Los Angeles’…
Bertoncini was a specialist and advocate for the nylon-string acoustic guitar, turning down high-profile opportunities that were unsuited to the sound and techniques that he used with that instrument.
Sep 1, 2026 11:06 AM
Gene Bertoncini, an esteemed jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and educator, died Aug. 29 at the Lillian Booth Actors…
A solo concert by saxophonist Joshua Redman will close the first night of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Sept. 26.
Sep 22, 2026 12:26 PM
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival will take place for the 20th time on the final weekend of September 2026. Beginning half…
