An accomplished drum set artist, Dr. Francis studied with Brannen Temple at the University of Texas at Austin, with additional lessons from Carl Allen and Daniel Glass. Graeme began establishing himself as a jazz drum set mainstay in the central Texas area in 2006. In addition to teaching drum set improvisation and jazz history at The University of Texas at San Antonio, Dr. Francis founded the UTSA Faculty Jazz Combo, which performed with local and national jazz figures including Pete Rodriguez, Doc Watkins, Ed Smith, Carter Arrington, and Bill Watrous.
During his time based in San Antonio, Dr. Francis performed extensively with Doc Watkins, including a date a Carnegie Hall, which resulted in the album “Swingin from San Antonio”.
During his time based in San Antonio, Dr. Francis performed extensively with Doc Watkins, including a date a Carnegie Hall, which resulted in the album “Swingin from San Antonio”.
After moving to upstate NY in 2016, Graeme immersed himself in the capital region jazz scene, performing regularly at local clubs and festivals with leading jazz artists including Scott Robinson, Joe Magnarelli, John Stowell, John Fedchock, Jerry Weldon, Eric Alexander, John Holiday, and Chuck Lamb. He also taught at The College of St. Rose, Hartwick College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was was responsible for percussion and drum set lessons, and directed the percussion ensembles. The faculty jazz combo he founded with colleagues Evan Jagels and John Colonna presented their highly interactive "Pop Gets Jazzed" clinic throughout the upstate NY area, where they also recorded "The Hartwick Jazz Trio" album.
