Angelique Francis Band
TD Ottawa Jazz Festival
Thursday June 28 @ 5pm / OLG Ontario Stage
RBC Bluesfest
Thursday, July 12 @ 6pm / Claridge Homes Stage
Angelique Francis is a versatile and exceptionally gifted musician with talent that is way beyond her years. This multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, Multi-Genre singer song writer and composer has wowed audiences across the globe with her rousing stage performances, instrumental abilities and deep textured vocals. She is known for her eclectic mix of various musical genres including Blues, Soul, folk, Jazz and Rock. Her diversity, passion and love of music can be heard in all of her original compositions.
You’ve said in the past that your parents have been some of your greatest role models. How have they inspired and taught you?
Through wisdom, guidance and unconditional love, my parents are my greatest inspiration. They are patient and supportive of my career, and they’re there to listen and advise when needed. They taught me to never give up on my dreams, never lose focus and strength, be charitable and stay positive despite the obstacles. My music is often very diverse, combining influences from many genres (including jazz, soul, funk, rock, reggae, hip-hop, and R&B, just to name a few) with the blues. This unique style has been greatly inspired by the music I grew up listening to. As a child I was exposed to a multitude of styles, ranging from the classics to futuristic. My parents helped me form the musical identity I have today.
So, there was one particular moment as a kid where you realized you wanted to live a life in music, wasn't there? Can you tell me about the “O Canada” experience?
Music has always been in my life. Even before I started planning for my future, I knew that music would always be a part of my life in some shape or form. It has been a huge part of my culture, and identity. It was when I was seven years old that I realized that performing music was something I wanted to pursue. In that year I had auditioned and won the chance to sing “O Canada” at my elementary school grand opening in Kanata. It was huge, there were a few hundred people there, including a few local TV stations. Once I stepped on that stage and realized the impact that music had on people, and the joy I could bring to others through it, I knew. My parents were very supportive yet very cautious; they are very big on education, so they sat me down and gave me a detailed overview on the volatility of a music career, and the importance of having backup plan. They basically told me if I wanted it bad enough I had to fulfill the following obligations: learn an instrument and maintain an “A” average in school. These are rules that I still live by today.
You later made your TV debut on the Oprah Network. What was that like for your 13-year-old self?
It was in incredible feeling! I had written and composed an original theme song for Oprah’s OWN Gale King Show. I was so delighted to be recognized for my compositional ability, in addition to my performative and musical ability. It only strengthened my love for songwriting and composition.
You’re a multi-instrumentalist but you favour the upright bass, a unique instrument for a vocalist. Why?
I love the freedom that all instruments give artists to express themselves, but I am particularly fond of the upright bass in part because of the particularities of my style.
How have you found working the bass alongside your rich vocal range for those live performances?
It comes naturally. I’ve been playing the upright since I was 13 years old. Essentially I grew up on the bass. It’s just something I do.
Speaking of your voice, each time I have heard you perform I am just blown away. How did you hone those chops and are there any vocal influences you can share?
Practice makes perfect! Much of the way I sing was influenced by the music I listened to growing up, and the guidance of my family. Some of my earliest influences were from Koko Taylor, and Big Mama Thornton.
I’ve seen you belt out Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson with ease, making their songs kind of your own. Are there any performers out there either passed or still with us you’d have loved to see live?
So many! I can’t even begin to list them all. For those who I can see, I would have to list Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Buddy Guy, the list goes on…
You mentioned you draw from a range of styles. What had you turning towards Blues / Soul based music?
It’s in my blood, it’s in my soul, I love it! It’s as simple as that.
As you are playing the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival this year, how would you describe how jazz music in particular makes you feel?
As an artist that fuses genres such as jazz, and blues together for the purpose of communicating different kinds of emotion, I would say that jazz is not one feeling. Jazz is a reflection. An expressive tool used by musicians to paint their pictures, stories, meanings, and feelings. When I play or make Jazz, I try to pour all of my being into getting those messages across. And when I listen, I am taken on a journey.
Do you have a particular jazz album you couldn’t live without?
I can’t say. There is so much good music out there it would be impossible for me to choose. Some of my favorites include, but are not limited to, artists such as Charles Mingus, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Lois Armstrong, Miles Mosely, Nina Simone, and so on.
I would venture guess that some might think you are still a relatively fresh face on the scene with only a few released tunes and videos but that's not quite true, is it?
Your guess is correct, I am not a new face on the scene. Residents of Ottawa often think I am a new face because my fan base is mostly located in different areas across the world. Due to the nature of my performing schedule (I tour regularly), about 90% of my shows take place outside of Ottawa. Thus, I am not seen as frequently in the local scene. Since the age of 13, I have played some of the largest festivals and venues across North America and the globe, and am very seasoned in the blues, soul, and folk scenes. In addition to my busy touring schedule, I have had airplay in North America since the age of 13, and international airplay since the age of 16 (I am now 20). I have had several released songs and albums over the years that were sold exclusively after performances. Currently, my album Kissed by the Blues is available for streaming and digital download on all major outlets. I also have several videos of my music, as well as documentaries that have been featured on television; such as CBC, Much Music, and Rogers Television.
I love your cut “Should Have Known”. Can you tell me inspired that tune?
Thank you! I like it too. This song was inspired by a multitude of things. The album that this song is featured on, Kissed by the Blues, is very much a reflection of my influences and how I weaved them together to create my own, new, and unique style.
Do you find you have particular themes in your music you like to pursue or are you more sporadic in your songwriting?
I don’t mean to be corny, but songwriting is like life. You can plan some of it, but sometimes it takes you to new interesting places. I do both, writing songs based on anything that inspires me from my own perspective, those of others, movies/TV, books, etc. However, as a songwriter who has composed thousands of songs, the songs I chose to present to the world are those that I feel will connect with people the most; because music is a form of communication. Whether it be through songs about inspirational topics, life experiences, love, or just to have a good time. My ultimate goal is to help others, and bring people together through the amazing power that is music.
I imagine the coming performances at the Jazz and Blues fests are special one for you. Can you share a few other gigs that you really enjoyed?
All of my gigs are very special to me. I’ve toured across the world, but one thing remains the same at every show big or small, from Jazz to Blues to folk, from Europe to Memphis to Ottawa; Once I have stepped on stage, all these experiences become special. I am very happy to be back after playing the festival multiple times over the past few years. Some of the other festivals and Venues that I have played over the years are: Montreal Jazz fest, Massey Hall, Sighișoara Blues fest (Romania), Canada Walk of Fame, London Folk Fest, Plattsburg jazz and blues fest, Memphis etc.
So, what’s next for you after this summer of performances?
Some of the other festivals I will be playing this summer are Mariposa Folk Festival from July 6-8th, Ottawa Blues fest on July 12th, Blue Mountain Festival July 15th, London Music festival Aug 22nd and Kingsville Folk fest on August 11th, - 12th and more
Комментарии