Howard Francis – Musician

SONGWRITER

PROFESSIONAL
KEYBOARD PLAYER

MUSICAL
DIRECTOR

PRODUCER
& ARRANGER

MUSIC
ACADEMY

THE BIG
SING

SONGWRITER

PROFESSIONAL
KEYBOARD PLAYER

MUSICAL
DIRECTOR

PRODUCER
& ARRANGER

MUSIC
ACADEMY

THE BIG
SING

MASTERCLASS - CALLING ALL KEYBOARD PLAYERS!

Are you looking for some inspiration?
Would you like to learn more?
Do you need some juice in your chords?
Would you like to be challenged to dig deeper into your playing?

Come and join Howard Francis as he shares his top tips and secrets to help you as an advanced keyboard player. Sharing his wealth of knowledge from his 30 years of music industry experience, be prepared to have your mind blown and eyes opened!

This Masterclass is two hours of bliss for any serious keyboard player – there are only EIGHT SPACES – so you get to received one to one tuition from Howard as well as ask those questions that are going to help YOU grow and develop in your playing.

TOURS

Having spent the last 30 years touring across the world, Howard is well known for his expert professionalism. Here are just some of his tours over his career:

1990 Terence Trent D’Arby
1990 Gloria Gaynor
1993-94 Van Morrison
1993-94 JB Horns
1994 Junior Gishcombe
1994 Kenny Thomas
1996-97 Des’ree
1997 Damage
1997 Womack & Womack
1998-99 Mn8
1999-04 Omar
2001 Louise Rednapp

2001 Five
2001 Pop Idol Tour
2002 Gareth Gates
2002-08 Will Young
2003-05 Misteeque
2004 Blue
2006-08 Westlife
2010-12 Mica Paris
2011-13 London Community Gospel Choir
2011-now The BIG Sing
2015-now Alexander O’Neal
2020-now Mica Paris

LIVE PERFORMANCES

Having worked with hundreds of musicians, bands, choirs, singers… Howard Francis has a well of experience in TV, live concerts, tours, functions, and special events.

In 2005 Howard was honoured to play for the Queen at her 80th birthday celebrations with just Will Young, himself and a Yamaha Concert Grand piano leading a 64-piece orchestra. Although a little nervous from the scale of the event, Howard and Will managed to perform exceptionally for her Majesty.

However, the moment that stands out to Howard as his biggest, was when he got to play with Andraé Crouch. Andraé, a legend in the Gospel community has always been an inspiration to Howard so when he came over to England and Howard got the gig you can only imagine how amazing that was for Howard and his family.

Just some of the artists that Howard has played for include:

Pop / Soul / RnB

Mica Paris, Alexander O’Neal, Westlife, Blue, Five, Will Young, Tom Jones, Chaka Khan, Amy Winehouse, Bryan Ferry, Peter Gabriel, Michael Bolton, Anastasia, Gloria Gaynor, Terence Trent D’Arby, Van Morrison, Des’ree, Ruby Turner, Jocelyn Brown, Denise Williams, Womack & Womack, Louise Rednapp, Emma Bunton, Alesha Dixon, JB Horns, Kenny Thomas, Mis-Teeq, Damage, Another Level, 911, Mn8, Omar, Junior Gishcombe, Abz Love, Gareth Gates, Light of the World, Colonel Abrams, Gwen Dickey and many more!

Choirs / Gospel / Christian

The BIG Sing, London Community Gospel Choir, Donnie McClurkin, Andraé Crouch, Israel Houghton, Marvin Winans, Ronald Winans, Ron Kenoly, Shirley Ceaser, Matt Redman, Martyn Smith from Delirious?, Michael W Smith, Noel Richards, Chris Tomlin, Brian Hayworth, Bishop John Francis and many more!

From his early days in East London, England where he played piano for the local church choir Howard Francis drew inspiration from the enduring musical traditions of the Pentecostal church including Blues, Soul, R&B, Jazz and Gospel.

Alongside his dexterity, Howard’s simmering skill and determination would lead to his first forays in the field of session music when he became affiliated, at their inception, with the highly-regarded London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) for whom he has penned hits, songs and harmonies for over three decades.

Howard has produced popular songs such as ‘Perfect Harmony’, ‘I Will Wait’ and the definitive ‘True Praises’ which have helped him to garner critical acclaim and expand his audience as the LCGC continue to travel extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the Caribbean often with Howard at the helm of what has proved to be a fruitful and lasting partnership.

His songs echo the likes of Andrae Crouch, with whom in a career- defining moment Howard had the distinct pleasure of working with in the early 1980s. He then went on to play a key part in the making of Donnie McClurkin’s Grammy-nominated ‘Live in London’ disc while broadening into the pop market to include work with some of the world’s leading and best- selling artists.

Today you are likely to hear Howard with anyone from Alexander O’Neal to Mica Paris, Blue, Five, Gloria Gaynor, Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Alesha Dixon and Des’ree, all of whom have sought his talents on stages and in studios as pianist, vocalist or Hammond meister at some stage of their illustrious careers.

Howard has also toured the globe with superstar acts including Will Young with whom he performed before the Queen and Ireland’s biggest pop export Westlife on their 2007 ‘The Love Tour’ in support of their chart-topping album of the same name.

In 2011, Howard founded his own community project called The BIG Sing which aims to unite people with uplifting music. Ten years later, he runs community choirs across the country teaching thousands of people very week. Howard also mentors other musicians through his very own Music Academy.

At his home studio, Howard often produces, arranges and directs music projects, with many new artists soaking up his songwriting skills.Howard is married to Gemma, his partner in work, music and life, and they have four children.

Specialities …
• Songwriter
• Professional Keyboard Player
• Musical Director

• Producer
• Arranger
• Songwriter
• Tuition

• Session Musician
• Tours
• TV
• Live Performances

NEWS

STEPFWD AWARDS

Howard Francis is awarded an Outstanding Contribution Award:

Steve Alexander Smith, the author of “British Black Gospel – The Foundations of this vibrant UK sound” stated:

“The first official recording by the London Community Gospel Choir was not actually an album of Gospel and Spiritual songs, but a now rare Disco Gospel Groove floor filler entitled “Fill My Cup”. To add to this interesting trivia, the song was not written by Bazil Meade MBE, but by the group’s keyboard player Howard Francis. For 6 minutes and 28 seconds, the 1984 track released on Island Records would become the life soundtrack for a prolific writer, endorsee and teacher to many. You’ve heard his contribution which is splashed out across the British music industry landscape.

Returning to trivia for the quiz specialists, the late Rod Temperton from the British Town of Cleethorpes Lincolnshire was the Keyboardist behind Michael Jackson and Producer Quincy Jones studio album “Thriller”. Temperton for his below radar key efforts would be dubbed the Invisible man. Howard Francis will be lifted above the radar and will no longer remain an enigma. His cup deserves to be filled to overflowing with an award in recognition of his contribution. Howard Francis should be incorporated into our cultural awareness.”

The Independent ‘Happy List’ 2021

Celebrating 50 inspirational people driving positive change in Britain.

The Independent publishes its annual Happy List, honouring 50 remarkable Britons whose kindness, ingenuity and dedication make them some of the country’s most inspirational individuals.

“The past 12 months have seen unprecedented global uncertainty, political warfare and climate turmoil. Working together and strengthening communities has never felt more important”

Howard Francis and his wife Gemma were delighted to be included in ‘The Independent’ Annual Happy List 2021.
… read more

EVENTS

Howard Francis is the Musical Director of Mica Paris. They have just finished a UK Arena Tour supporting Simply Red. See where Mica Paris is performing next on her website:
MICA PARIS WEBSITE

Play Video

Howard Francis will be Touring with The Ministry of Sound Disco Live Tour this year:
CHECK OUT THE DATES HERE