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Francine Luce: Jazz Singer-Songwriter-Performer

A Voice that touches the heart

Countless World-class musicians

An extraordinary Worldwide musical path.

“The remarkable singer Francine Luce”. The Guardian

As each day brings a new dawn, as life and nature evolve, so each of Francine’s performances is a new and exciting experience with a life of its own..

“Her tremendous talent and experience turn music into a fascinating series of  life stories, carrying her audience along on a memorable journey.” 

Every sound… Every note… Every movement… Is a new experience… Janine Iron Tomorrow’s Warriors

…Francine’s singing style had the audience in the palm of her hand... Dave Clarke Bebop Spoken Here

Francine is highly acclaimed for her artistry in redefining the voice – using it as a versatile instrument. For her, the voice can be reshaped according its purpose: for example, she can sing “straight” with the warmth, range and vibrancy of a great jazz or blues vocalist and, in a moment, alter her voice to create pure sounds drawn from nature and life’s experience. It is this special blend of song and sound which makes Francine’s treatment of the voice so remarkable.

Music has no limits with Francine and this shows in her career. Unexpectedly, Francine made her debut as a lead singer-songwriter and backing vocalist on the Caribbean island of Martinique before embarking on an exceptional musical path that lead her straight away onto the International Music Scene, first in France, and then establishing herself in 1987 in the UK on the London Improvised Music scene, releasing her acclaimed first CD Bò kay la vi-a (OGUN) featuring Louis Moholo, Paul Rogers, Keith Tippett, Paul Rutherford, Claude Deppa and Evan Parker and performing worldwide in Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, Japan and India.

Some particular highlights of Francine’s career as a live performer have included her being the lead singer of Jerry Dammers’ 26 piece band; The Spatial AKA Orchestra notably Glastonbury Festival and Later…with Jools Holland; performing at the London’s South Bank: opening for the Art Ensemble of Chicago with Louis Moholo’s band and with his ensemble alongside with Lester Bowie and leading her own band supporting Archie Shepp.

After countless musical encounters Francine is now devoted to her favourite instrument, the double bass. Since her recent move to the North of UK, she has begun working with some of the region’s finest bass players; launching her new duo Francine Luce: One Voice-One Bass. Successfully premiered at Marsden Jazz Festival and Newcastle Jazz and Improvised Music Festival in 2019 featuring the legendary Andy Champion, the project was also showcased in the 2019 Manchester Jazz Festival mjf hothouse event with the remarkable John Pope with whom she recently performed for Glasshouse at the Sage-Gateshead in Feb 2022.