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WHO IS SHE?
DC-based award-winning artist, composer and educator Josanne Francis began playing steelpan at age 9 in her native Trinidad & Tobago. She delivers unmatched technical mastery and an energetic and emotional complexity that enchants listeners across the world. Josanne approaches steelpan with great reverence for its versatility, a perspective through which she promotes cultural exchange on and off the bandstand.
She has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Strathmore Music Center, Times Square and Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival. She has performed with David Rudder, Etienne Charles, Negah Santos, John Batiste, Kes, Andy Narell, and Liam Teague; appeared with the Michigan Philharmonic and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; and recorded on projects for Charles, Victor Provost, The Mawasi Experience, and Afro Bop Alliance. In 2022, Josanne received the Vanguard Award presented at Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Gala & Awards, and the Rising Leader Award, presented by his excellency Anthony Phillips-Spencer, Trinidad & Tobago Ambassador to the United States. She has garnered grants from U.S. Artists International, Maryland State Arts Council and Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council; delivered a TEDx presentation; and recently received a commission from the San Jacinto College Central Steelband to complete a multi-movement gesture for steelband.
Josanne received her bachelor of music education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, her master’s degree in steelpan performance from Northern Illinois University, and recently earned a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Maryland. She has taught at venues and institutions across the nation, including the University of Delaware, the University of Maryland and the Cultural Academy for Excellence. She has held artistic residencies at University of Michigan, Strathmore Music Center and Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute, and served on a number of prestigious panels. In 2022, Josanne co-created the thriving performance outfit Elite Pan Consortium and, in 2019, launched Steel on Wheels LLC, an all-inclusive educational program that eliminates barriers for the creation and development of steelbands, and varied percussion ensembles.
To keep up with Josanne’s performance and teaching schedule, visit her website josannefrancis.com and follow her on social media @josannefrancis.
Photographer: Jonathan Timmes
Join me at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a special Artist talk as I talk about my musical creativity in response to the art from one of the collections.
Join me for this special trio performance in the Musical Instruments Galleries at the the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Concert 1: From Ancient to Contemporary: The Guzheng’s Development Over Time—Wed, March 12
Explore the rich history and evolution of the guzheng with AIR Qi Yu as she showcases the Chinese zither's traditional roots to its modern-day versatility. Along with contemporary compositions, Yu will perform nine distinct regional styles demonstrating how beautifully this instrument adapts to today’s musical influences.
a diasporic night representative of Caribbean memory, language and iconic sound culture. This curated night explores the axis of acoustic memory and palpable story telling, capturing the many rifts, continents and currents expressive of the Caribbean postcolonial experience.
The Rāginī Festival, formerly known as the Women's Raga Massive Festival, is a month-long virtual and in-person festival that explores the work of artists challenging systemic patriarchy in the South Asian creative ecosystem. Seeking to provide equitable and collaborative performance spaces, invigorate diasporic community engagement and inclusion, heal the infliction of colonial borders, and amplify the creative voices of non-patriarchal creators, The Rāginī Festival brings together artistic and musical threads from across oceans - retracing the labyrinth of memory and cultural myth-making. This festival exists as an invitation to invoke musical history as a tool to dream of homeland-- to transfigure exile’s dark waters, both tangible and spiritual, into art. The Rāginī Festival, features traditional raga, experimental performance, folk arts, poetry, visual art, dance and social justice panel conversations at renowned NYC venues including National Sawdust, Joe’s Pub and the Rubin Museum.
Concert 2: Ancient Chinese Sound Meets the Western Voice—Wed, March 26
This concert explores the dynamic interplay between Chinese and Western musical styles, highlighting the versatility and universal appeal of the guzheng, a Chinese zither, and other traditional instruments. Qi Yu's performance challenges the perception of the guzheng by breaking cultural boundaries and redefining how we think about this timeless instrument.
Gather at Hillwood for Come Sail Away, the annual Valentine's celebration on Thursday, February 13, 7-10 p.m. Be the first to explore the fabulous special exhibition, Setting Sail: The Story of Sea Cloud. Enjoy the open bar, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and dessert by Design Cuisine, and bid on exclusive items in the silent auction.
Concert 2: Threads of Tradition: Connecting Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran—Wed, January 29
Enjoy an unforgettable evening where music weaves together the shared legacies and distinct voices of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Led by guitarist and composer Hasan Imam Hamdani, the concert explores the rich traditions of Persian, Afghan, and Pakistani music and literature, celebrating their deep cultural connections while honoring their unique identities.
Experience the magic of cross-continental collaboration with guitarist and composer Hasan Imam Hamdan as he performs original compositions that traverse the musical landscapes of South Asia and West Africa. Joined by renowned sarod player Manik Khan, Hamdani weaves together ancient traditions and modern innovations, accompanied by a string quartet featuring Erin Murphy Snedecor (cello), Kimia Hesabi (viola), and Celaya Kirschner and Natalia Merezhuk (violin). Spanish composer Daniel Osiewala’s string arrangements tie together this unique musical journey.
Give your Thursday night a new rhythm. Jazz at Lincoln Center joins us this summer to bring New York City’s jazz scene to Broadway, creating the feeling of an intimate club amidst the lights and sounds of Times Square.
FREE registration. Reserve your spot online now! “Doors” open at 4:30pm https://www.timessquarenyc.org/tsqnyc/jazz-in-times-square
Trinidad & Tobago Association of Washington DC partners with Wack 90.1fm to put on this show featuring 4 premiere pannists in the Washington DC performing in the company of some of Trinidad & Tobago’s great players.
Performers:
Domenic Lewis
Kobie Andrews
Lennard Jack Jr.
Josanne Francis
Joshua Regrello
Johann Chuckaree
Tyeesha Alexander
Duvone Stewart
Livestrem: www.wackradio901fm.com www.ttadc.org/events
“Josanne Francis steelpan artist, a first at PAPJAZZ!”
The Josanne Francis Septet:
Josanne Francis, steelpan
Elijah Jamal Balbed, saxophone
Mark G. Meadows, piano
Herman Burney Jr., bass
Atesh Indarjit, tabla
Francisco Vielma, percussion
Joey Antico, drumset
Chinese brush painting, yoga, culinary arts, African dance, Samba, Salsa, and much more!
Josanne Francis serves as a Teaching Artist while introducing steelpan to the campers at the All Souls Unitarian Universalist summer camp.
Josanne Francis trio performs at Good Hope Community Center.
Josanne Francis teaches 6-week class in steelpan at the Good Hope Recreation Center. Classes are Wednesdays 6-8pm. No class on 5/20.
Josanne Francis and Daron Roberts perform as featured guests with SoMiSPO (the Southern Miss Steel Pan Orchestra) at the University of Southern Mississippi. Expect to hear classical, jazz, calypso, and much more!
Josanne Francis gives presentation on her career as a performer and entrepreneur in the arts.
Josanne Francis performs.
Film & Lecture Series: Local Women Explore Creativity, Identity & Resilience hosted by artist Neha Misra featuring Artistic Director & Professor of Ballet Pedagogy Jacqueline Akhmedova; Steelpan Artist & Music Educator Josanne Francis; Multi-media Artist, Activist & Curator Jackie Hoysted; Textile & Mixed Media Artist Lauren Heather Lay; Artist Roza Matlin; Comic & Writer Kandace Saunders
Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
The Josanne Francis trio performs.
Josanne Francis performs with the Cheick Hamala Band.
he sounds of the tropical steelpan elegantly punctuate the bold, ethereal lilt of the Chinese dulcimer, creating an absolutely transcendent soundscape. Parallel Intersections goes beyond the boundaries of each instrument, engaging in musical creations that are based on the exploration of commonness and differences. The duo comprises of Josanne Francis on the steelpan and Chao Tian on the Chinese dulcimer who first met as members of Strathmore’s Artist in Residence Class of 2018. Both are masters of their respective instruments: Francis made history as the first classical steelpan soloist to perform a concerto at Carnegie Hall, and Tian has been presented with the Wen Hua award—the highest honor given to a Chinese musician. Francis and Tian share a similar background in classical music and are able to merge their unmistakably different cultural backgrounds in Parallel Intersections. One patron described the duo as a “spellbinding and joy-bring combo!”, while another expressed that it was one of the best musical experiences he has had in his life. Get lost in a flurry of pansticks and mallets and witness a transglobal collaboration that is out of this world.
Private performance for inmates.
Josanne Francis leads CAFE’s Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra at the St. Augustine Church’s Black History Concert.
