Well versed in a wide range of classical percussion instruments, Dr. Francis is also an accomplished drum set artist. Having 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 around 2006. He was the drummer and founding member of the University of Texas at San Antonio Faculty Jazz Combo, where he was featured in performance with local and national jazz figures including Pete Rodriguez (trumpet), Doc Watkins (piano), Ed Smith (vibraphone), Carter Arrington (guitar), and Bill Watrous (trombone). Dr. Francis also taught drum set improvisation and jazz history at UTSA during his ten years there as Adjunct Professor of percussion.
Working with a wide variety of Texas-based artists, and primarily with Doc Watkins and South Texas Jazz from 2006-2016 throughout San Antonio, Austin, and Houston, he made his jazz debut at Carnegie Hall with the Doc Watkins Trio in January, 2014. Since then, he has performed at San Antonio’s Majestic and Empire Theatres and recorded “Swingin from San Antonio” with that same trio for LiSem records (for album info, click here). When visiting San Antonio, he’s a regularly featured performer at Doc Watkins’ club, Jazz ,TX.
Since moving to upstate NY in 2016, Graeme has immersed himself in the capital region jazz scene, performing regularly at local clubs Speakeasy518 and 9 Maple. He is currently on faculty at The College of St. Rose, Hartwick College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he teaches percussion, drum set, and directs the percussion ensembles. Dr. Francis plays Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Remo drum heads.
For more information about Graeme’s jazz projects, check out the Media page, and to book his groups at your event, contact him here. You can also see where he's playing by checking out the Albany Jazz Calendar.
Hope to see you at a gig sometime soon!
Working with a wide variety of Texas-based artists, and primarily with Doc Watkins and South Texas Jazz from 2006-2016 throughout San Antonio, Austin, and Houston, he made his jazz debut at Carnegie Hall with the Doc Watkins Trio in January, 2014. Since then, he has performed at San Antonio’s Majestic and Empire Theatres and recorded “Swingin from San Antonio” with that same trio for LiSem records (for album info, click here). When visiting San Antonio, he’s a regularly featured performer at Doc Watkins’ club, Jazz ,TX.
Since moving to upstate NY in 2016, Graeme has immersed himself in the capital region jazz scene, performing regularly at local clubs Speakeasy518 and 9 Maple. He is currently on faculty at The College of St. Rose, Hartwick College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he teaches percussion, drum set, and directs the percussion ensembles. Dr. Francis plays Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Remo drum heads.
For more information about Graeme’s jazz projects, check out the Media page, and to book his groups at your event, contact him here. You can also see where he's playing by checking out the Albany Jazz Calendar.
Hope to see you at a gig sometime soon!
