Shireen Francis
The Bull's Head
373 Lonsdale Road, Barnes
Dec 15, 2019
12:00 AM GMT
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About this concert
The Small Island Project is a London based five-piece Caribbean Jazz, Rhythm & Groove band combining Caribbean rhythms with a touch of jazz. Vocalist Shireen Francis’ Jamaican/Goan heritage in Afro-Caribbean music, has seen her develop her own distinctive jazz style whilst drawing on music from her formative years in the 70’s spent listening to Reggae, Calypso, Gospel Soul & Blues. This much sought-after singer has performed all over the world, working with artists such as Billy Ocean, Benny Green, Jim Mullen and John Etheridge among many others. Her all-star band comprises Paz co-founder Geoff Castle on keyboards, Neville Malcolm on bass, Dominic Grant on guitar and Kenrick Rowe on drums. The Small Island Experience's vibrant rhythms will take you on a vivid journey across the waters where the sun shines and the Caribbean warmth of Carnival mingles with more than a touch or two of Xmas spirit. “Fabulous! A great mix of material …Shireen and her fabulous band breathes new life into old favorites by treating them in a refreshing new way…..” - Royal Festival Hall. “One of the highlights of the festival …Shireen was scintillating.” - Richmond Jazz Festival
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Shireen Francis Biography
Born in London of Jamaican and Goan Heritage, Shireen learned her craft in Afro-Caribbean music but in recent years her jazz singing inspired by artists such as Marlena Shaw, Dianne Reeves, Carmen Lundy and Nancy Wilson has led her in a different direction including writing her own material.
Shireen Francis is a warm and soulful performer who continually takes her audiences into a new dimension. Her sound is rich and multi-layered, at once delicate, yet powerful. Shireen sings jazz in a uniquely sophisticated way and her rich vocals and innate musicianship is always an uplifting musical experience.
Shireen studied jazz under Lee Gibson at RACC and Louise Gibbs and Mark Bassey at Goldsmiths College and during her 20 year career has performed at venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, 100 Club, 606 Club and Pizza Express, Dean Street. She has also played at many international venues and festivals including Soho Jazz Festival, London Oris Jazz Festival, Ealing Jazz Festival, Richmond Jazz Festival, Ingolstadt Festival (Germany), Brattislava Jazz Festival (Czech Republic) and Slovenia Jazz Festival and has worked with artists such as, Billy Ocean, Benny Green, Jim Mullen, John Etheridge, Humphrey Lyttleton, Frank Griffiths, Anita Wardell, Gill Manley, Juliet Kelly, Ciyo Brown, Cameron Pierre, and Brian Abrahams.
“Everything comes straight from the heart.” Carmen Lundy, US Jazz vocalist & composer
“Quite simply, Shireen is one of the best British Jazz Vocalists of this generation” Tony Currie, BBC Radio
"London is teeming with wannabe jazz divas, though very few have a convincing jazz feel; Shireen Francis is one such rarity. A fine debut recording and long overdue. JACK MASSARIK - London Evening Standard 22 July 2011
“Reminiscent of a young Cleo” Brian Blain, Jazz UK
Read MoreShireen Francis is a warm and soulful performer who continually takes her audiences into a new dimension. Her sound is rich and multi-layered, at once delicate, yet powerful. Shireen sings jazz in a uniquely sophisticated way and her rich vocals and innate musicianship is always an uplifting musical experience.
Shireen studied jazz under Lee Gibson at RACC and Louise Gibbs and Mark Bassey at Goldsmiths College and during her 20 year career has performed at venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, 100 Club, 606 Club and Pizza Express, Dean Street. She has also played at many international venues and festivals including Soho Jazz Festival, London Oris Jazz Festival, Ealing Jazz Festival, Richmond Jazz Festival, Ingolstadt Festival (Germany), Brattislava Jazz Festival (Czech Republic) and Slovenia Jazz Festival and has worked with artists such as, Billy Ocean, Benny Green, Jim Mullen, John Etheridge, Humphrey Lyttleton, Frank Griffiths, Anita Wardell, Gill Manley, Juliet Kelly, Ciyo Brown, Cameron Pierre, and Brian Abrahams.
“Everything comes straight from the heart.” Carmen Lundy, US Jazz vocalist & composer
“Quite simply, Shireen is one of the best British Jazz Vocalists of this generation” Tony Currie, BBC Radio
"London is teeming with wannabe jazz divas, though very few have a convincing jazz feel; Shireen Francis is one such rarity. A fine debut recording and long overdue. JACK MASSARIK - London Evening Standard 22 July 2011
“Reminiscent of a young Cleo” Brian Blain, Jazz UK
Gospel
Jazz
Caribbean Jazz
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