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Francina Connors
Member Since: 2004 | Location: New York City | Page Views: 3,769About Me
They say good things come in small packages. And so it goes with jazz vocalist, Francina Connors. In an age of gimmicks and slick packaging, this diminutive songstress returns majesty and beauty to the “first instrument” with a natural and unaffected style. In just a few years on the New York scene, Francina's vocal stylings have led to performances in such noted jazz venues as Smalls, TheVillage Gate, Birdland, St. Nick's Pub and Tatou. To her credit, Francina has performed with young jazz artists Cyrus Chestnut (P), Gerald Cannon (B), Bruce Edwards (G), Eric Lewis (P), as well as seasoned veterans Joe Knight (P), Bill Lee (B), Tom Macintosh (Arr./Trb), John Ore (B) and Britt Woodman (Trb). The daughter of a classical pianist, Francina began singing at five, continuing on to numerous choirs, small ensembles, public television work and solo competitions. She contributes her keen ear and harmonic sense to a rich diet of musical styles. Her background includes classical, spirituals and extensive choral work as well as the sounds of her Cleveland, OH roots, which provided an intro to jazz with a healthy foundation in R&B, soul and funk. Francina fell in love with jazz while at Oberlin College. While studying voice in the Oberlin Conservatory, she performed as soloist for the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble under Wendell Logan and Kenny Davis. Subsequently she moved to the dues paying New York City to further hone her skills. She's studied with Opera Ebony's Wayne Saunders and, under the careful tutelage of jazz masters Barry Harris and Benny Powell, continues making headway on the competitive New York jazz scene. Francina's wide vocal range and diverse musical background have afforded her a myriad of opportunities in and out of jazz. From an Off-Broadway show with Thuli and Dumakude and The South African Singers to recording with Calypso artist, Arrow, jazz Bassist Bill Lee and The Bill Lee Family Singers and recently performing and recording with the Manhattan Jazz Orchestra (Blue Lion Music) - this artist definitely likes to stretch! Her latest endeavors include joining the Barry Harris Jazz Choir in festival in Den Haag, The Netherlands, a voice and guitar project, clubdates throughout the New York area and nurturing a long-standing passion -songwriting. If talent, charm and tenacity are the keys to success, expect a bright future for this blossoming young artist. CONTACT: Cinarae Music STYLE: All styles (jazz concentration) P.O. Box 1196, New York, NY 10026 (212) 388-8609/[email protected] FESTIVALS Harlem Arts and Music Festival (Performed with my group, The Francina Connors Quartet. Francina Connors (V), Eric Lewis (P), Hill Greene (B) and Craig Haynes (D). The Barry Harris Jazz Workshop. Performed with Barry Harris Community Choir in workshop at the Dutch Royal Conservatory, Den Haag, The Netherlands. RECORDING ?To be Titled? with the Barry Harris Jazz Choir. ”Contour” Manhattan Jazz Orchestra. (Blue Lion Music.) 1998. Featured vocalist. Performed on several demo projects. Demo project accompanied by Cyrus Chestnut (P), Ernie Barnes (B) and Taru Alexander (D). ?Knock 'em Dead.” Arrow. 1987. THEATER ?Gethsemane Park.?(Musical) Written by Ishmael Reed. Directed by Rome Neal. Nuyorican Poet?s ?Caf
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- Lisle Atkinson's Neo Bass Ensemble Meets "Ellington" Featuring Valerie Capers, Danny Mixon And Richard Wyands @ Symphony Space, June 10, 8pm
- Reggie Workman's African-American Legacy Project (AALP) in Concert @ HSA, Sat., Nov. 13, 11- 2pm
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This page was last updated on 2004-01-21.
