The prodigious pianist / singer / songwriter has realized two potent and rollicking albums in the past two years (Changes in ‘19, and his latest,In Plain Sight) with the analog-obsessive groove maven, Sergio Rios (lead guitarist of Orgone), producing. His debut reverently, and successfully, mines New Orleans-R&B-leaning funk and vintage soul and landed him on best-of-the-year lists from the likes of KCRW, KEXP, and The Current, and saw him hailed as “the reincarnation of Allen Toussaint” by BBC Radio 6. With a prodigy-like gift for piano, Francis sat in with a dozen different blues acts in Chicago clubs as a teenager, and helmed a widely beloved instrumental funk band called The Heard before going solo. Along with earning lavish acclaim (including a glowing review from Bob Lefsetz, who declared: “This is the future of the music business!!!”), Changes led to such triumphs as performing live on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” sharing the stage with members of The Meters at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and touring with such acts as Lee Fields & The Expressions and Black Pumas. Neal and his band are on a tear, touring non stop to raves in the US & Europe.
Band Website: www.nealfrancis.com
