Francy Boland

about

Francy BOLAND starts playing the piano at the age of 8. He then moves to Liège to study at the Music Conservatory after World War II. Soon he gets in touch with the musicians of the legendary Bob Shots (Bobby JASPAR, Jacques PELZER, René THOMAS etc...). He joins the band in 1949 for its last period of activity and records in Paris a few tracks on which his piano solos already show a definite be bop phrasing. He appears on several radio shows, plays in Antwerp with another Belgian jazz legend, saxophone player Jack SELS. In these years he occasionnally also plays the trumpet or the mellophon. He then moves to Paris, where he joins a circle of Belgian musicians that includes saxophonist Bobby JASPAR, bassist Benoît QUERSIN and vibraphone player SADI. His reputation grows not only as a pianist, but also as a composer/arranger. He writes for Henri RENAUD's band in 52, SADI in 53 and Aimé BARELLI in 54. He then meets Chet BAKER and joins his quintet in 55-56. They make several recordings and a European tour with French saxophone player Jean-Louis CHAUTEMPS. Chet takes him to the US. It is there that he will present his charts to Count BASIE. Francy BOLAND gets busier and busier on the international scene, dividing his time between the piano and the writing. Francy BOLAND stays in the US for a few years. He has the rare opportunity to write arrangements for Count BASIE, Benny GOODMAN and Mary Lou WILLIAMS. With Kenny CLARKE he forms an octet to record an album for the Blue No

top songs

albums

Flirt And Dream

Out Of The Background

Blue Flame / Red Hot / White Heat

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Swinging Jazz Piano

Playing With the Trio (feat. Kenny Clarke, Jimmy Woode)

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Kpm International: Jazz Convention Volume III

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Gilles Peterson - Magic Peterson Sunshine

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Exotic Jazz

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Chill Out Jazz (Jazz Club)

Fellini 712

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3. White Heat

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Talkin' Jazz 2

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