Neal Francis (born Neal Francis O’Hara) is an American musician based in Chicago, IL, whose music is steeped in New Orleans rhythms, Chicago blues, and early 70s rock Ohio-based Karma Chief Records (a subsidiary of rising soul label Colemine Records) released his debut LP "Changes" in September 2019 It provides connection between Francis’s childhood—his obsession with boogie woogie piano, his father’s gift of a dusty Dr John LP—and the songs he’s created The influences are the vocal stylings of Allen Toussaint and Leon Russell; the second line rhythms of The Meters and Dr John; the barroom rock ‘n’ roll of The Rolling Stones; the gospel soul of Billy Preston; the roots music of The Band The piano prodigy found himself touring Europe by the age of 18 with Muddy Waters’ son and backing up other prominent blues artists coast-to-coast In 2012, Francis joined popular instrumental funk band The Heard With Francis at the creative helm, The Heard transformed into a national act, touring with boogaloo progenitors The New Mastersounds and chart toppers The Revivalists and appearing at Jazz Fest and Bear Creek As The Heard’s star rose, however, Francis sunk deeper into addiction
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