Francis Bailey - Saxophone, Guitars, Piano, Vocals, Percussion, Spoken Word, Music Production
Influences
The Gotan Project, George Benson, Sonny Rollins, Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Amon Tobin, Mr. Scruff, Paul Desmond, Hugh Masekela, Bob Marley, Catch-a-Fire, Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre, Tosca, Mozart, Chopin, Satie, Morgan Heritage, Herbie Hancock, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, K-OS, Gill Scott, System of A Down, The Mars Volta, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Art Pepper, Nitin Sawhney, Tosca, Lauren Hill, Eva Cassidy, Lionel Richie, Jimi Hendrix, Sparrow, Eminem, Eric Clapton, Ladysmith Black Mombaza, R.Kelly, Santana, Bebel y Cigalo, Feist, Muse, St. Lech, Raul Midon, Dave Brubeck, Buena Vista Social Club, Jack Johnson, Rachmaninov, Outlandish, Metz & Trix, Richie Rich, DJ Nu Mark, The Fugees,Yossou N'dour, Metropolitan Jazz Affair, Ben Harper, Boyz II Men, Ely Guerra, Bebel Gilberto, Joao Gilberto, 303 Infinity, Roni Size, Pendulum, X-Man, Outkast, Madeline Peyroux, Ray Charles, Brian Mc.Knight, John Field, Jamiroquai, Charles Mingus, Jacques Loussier, Machel Montano, Squre One, Fat Freddy's Drop, Nancy Wilson, Royskopp, Black Eyed Peas, Charlie Parker, Mr. Methane.
Born in the Ukraine to parents from Guyana and Zimbabwe, Francis Bailey's seemingly ceaseless musical output is as diverse and colorful as his heritage. Having spent most of his childhood in the Caribbean he's been involved in plays, choirs and public speaking as early as the first years of primary school. It goes without saying he developed both a talent and taste for performing, his ears sampling a plethora of different soundscapes in a country where it's almost impossible not to hear music everywhere you go. Though he started writing poetry and short stories at the age of 11, a consequence of his undying love for beautiful literature it was only in his first year of high school that he first picked up a musical instrument.
The humble recorder was quickly followed by a stint in his school's steel pan band where day on day he stood hypnotized by the sound of sticks on steel. At the age of 16 just before moving to the UK he got his first saxophone, taking just 3 months of lessons before realizing that such was his devotion to the instrument he would easily teach himself. During this same time he also continued to develop his literary prowess through taking part in and winning many elocution and public speaking competitions.
Traveling a lot also played a major role in shaping him as a poet who strongly advocates social justice and freedom for the oppressed as he awakened to the fact that poverty and inequality are a worldwide condition; one remedied only by those who stand up and speak out'. Though he also writes about other well explored topics such as beauty and love,
Francis explains he will forever lend his voice and talents to bettering the human condition in anyway possible.
After moving to Oxfordshire to continue his education 7years ago Francis quickly got involved in the fledgling school jazz band, eventually breaking off to form his first quartet with 3 of the other most talented musicians. This particular venture culminated in him playing many gigs around the shire most notably, a regular slot at the Royal Lifeboat Charity's annual get together and being flown to New York with the quartet at 18 to play a corporate event. In this same year he won the Princess Diana of Wales Award for Leadership owing to his campaigning for the social justice he so deeply believes is possible. You may have seen him playing the Banyan Tree at Glastonbury in the last few years, voted at the time 'the best festival in the world' or at Truckfest in Oxford last year on the main stage as part of Morrison Steam Fayre.
After moving to London almost 2 years ago he started teaching himself production and guitar, while keeping his mouth busy reading poetry on a few North London radio stations and started singing again after a long time behind the mouthpiece of his beloved saxophone.
The result of this musical journey, far from over, is that he records, arranges, produces, does all vocals, lyrics programming and instrumentation on 99% of his material.
He has spent the last year playing gigs around London to much acclaim, learning new skills and honing his existing talent resulting in over 120 recorded tracks to date in genres ranging from Acoustic Soul to Club Music and Electro. Francis has recently started writing music for a film maker in Bratislava who regularly exhibits at Cannes Film Festival. In addition to this he is also a graphic artist, producing unique drawings reminiscent of Gustav Klimt and beautiful digital art works using collage and a healthy dose of ingenuity.
When asked why he doesn't' just do one thing he laughs, and it's understandable. This voracious mind with its piercing intellect cannot be contained, it refuses to be pigeon-holed; it is unstoppable. He aims ultimately to create a "full spectrum experience" for his enraptured audience, to weave a soundscape like no other and at 23, from the sound of things he's well on his way to doing just that.
Francis' voice, undeniably lush and textured has many times been described as the 'sound of a summer day'; flawlessly soulful. Listening to him play the saxophone feels like discovering something uniquely beautiful for the first time, a moving experience. His poetry flows with the lyrical dexterity of Sparrow, the brutal honesty of Gill Scott Heron but something else that's all his own -and his message to you? Watch this space.
Hello you, hope u like the poetry the songs, the artwork and the general randomness. If you do i always love feedback; i'm also on Facebook.
Please feel free to contact me for any of the following reasons.
1. - You have no reason to contact me
2. - You're going to give me money :)
3. - You can prove i'm a martian (just for the kudos)
4. - You like my stuff and want me to send u some more
5. - Any other reason i missed out.
6. - You've never been unkind to squirrels, lol
Big love,
Francis
Francis sweetie this is all fabulous...so glad to see you making full use of all your rare and beautiful attributes...and no, I have never been unkind to squirrels, as you well know, and I'm afraid I'm not going to give you any money, but love you anyways!!...big love..catch up soon. Jay. xx
YO... FEELIN THE VIBES. PITY WE MISSED U YESTERDAY MY KING. BUT ALL WRKS OUT BLESSED AS PER.. LOVING 'NO MORE'... WE HAVE TO COLAB U KNOW THIS... CATCH U SOON BREDA. ADH DSG
Your sooo cool Francis Bailey! Loved the music you talented thing you! You mix it up all styles :) Will be coming back to London soon and we are going to catch up and have drinks! Will schedule in a visit to one of your gigs! Talk soon!
Jekyl Hyde is one of the best songs i ive heard on myspace in a while, great song writing, feel, vocal arrangment and instrumentation. What dont kill ya makes you stronger ay! I like your material, holla back bro
hey dude, how did you find us? your music is completely from different fairy tale but quite relaxing and perfectly suit for night hours like these... have a nice sunday and thanks one more time for support. take care!
hey francis thanx for finding me sounds really good in here a collabo is definately not out of the question... just have to find the time! love & respect, jonas
yup still in the shire, and its effing cold, sure london must be warmer at least! you been travelling around much with the music? ur at uni yeah? which?
I ran out of gas. I, I had a flat tyre. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts.
wassup bro thanx for accepting me...well ive been using ableton for about 2 years and its crazy, i dont use the arrangement view as much as you do but the session view is pretty easy to understand.
Born in the Ukraine to parents from Guyana and Zimbabwe, Francis Bailey's seemingly ceaseless musical output is as diverse and colorful as his heritage. Having spent most of his childhood in the Caribbean he's been involved in plays, choirs and public speaking as early as the first years of primary school. It goes without saying he developed both a talent and taste for performing, his ears sampling a plethora of different soundscapes in a country where it's almost impossible not to hear music everywhere you go. Though he started writing poetry and short stories at the age of 11, a consequence of his undying love for beautiful literature it was only in his first year of high school that he first picked up a musical instrument.
Online Now!
