Johnny DeFrancesco
Encyclopedia
Johnny DeFrancesco is an American
blues
guitarist
. He is the son of organist 'Papa' John DeFrancesco
, and the brother of organist Joey DeFrancesco
.
. By the time he was 14, he was already performing in local Philadelphia jazz clubs with his father. At the age of 18 DeFrancesco had achieved recognition on the Philadelphia scene for his blues vocals and guitar playing.
In 1997, DeFrancesco joined the faculty of Berklee College of Music
in Boston
, Massachusetts
. He currently resides in Philadelphia, and performs with his group the Johnny DeFrancesco Power Trio. He has worked with Duke Jethro, John Lee Hooker
, Luther Tucker
, Johnny Heartsman
, and Ike Turner
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
. He is the son of organist 'Papa' John DeFrancesco
John DeFrancesco
'Papa' John DeFrancesco is an American jazz organist and vocalist, and father of Joey DeFrancesco and Johnny DeFrancesco....
, and the brother of organist Joey DeFrancesco
Joey DeFrancesco
Joey DeFrancesco is an American jazz organist, trumpeter, and vocalist. Down Beat's Critics and Readers Poll selected him as the top jazz organist every year since 2003.DeFrancesco was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania...
.
Biography
DeFrancesco grew up outside of Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. By the time he was 14, he was already performing in local Philadelphia jazz clubs with his father. At the age of 18 DeFrancesco had achieved recognition on the Philadelphia scene for his blues vocals and guitar playing.
In 1997, DeFrancesco joined the faculty of Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. He currently resides in Philadelphia, and performs with his group the Johnny DeFrancesco Power Trio. He has worked with Duke Jethro, John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Hooker began his life as the son of a sharecropper, William Hooker, and rose to prominence performing his own unique style of what was originally closest to Delta blues. He developed a 'talking blues' style that was his trademark...
, Luther Tucker
Luther Tucker
For the publisher see The Genesee FarmerLuther Tucker was an American blues guitarist.While soft spoken and shy, Tucker made his presence known through his unique and clearly recognizable guitar style. Tucker helped to define the music known as Chicago Blues, but played everything from blues to...
, Johnny Heartsman
Johnny Heartsman
Johnny Heartsman was an American electric blues and soul blues musician and songwriter. Heartsman showed musical diversity, playing a number of musical instruments, including the electric organ and flute...
, and Ike Turner
Ike Turner
Isaac Wister Turner was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter, arranger, talent scout, and record producer. In a career that lasted more than half a century, his repertoire included blues, soul, rock, and funk...
.
As a leader
- I Saw It Comin (Vectordisc, 2009)
- Power Trio Live (Horseplay, 2001)
- Make A Move (Ton A' Chops, 1995)
As a sideman
- Papa John DeFrancesco - A Philadelphia Story (Savant, 2011)
- Papa John DeFrancesco - Walking Uptown (Savant, 2004)
- Papa John DeFrancesco - Jumpin (Savant, 2003)
- Papa John DeFrancesco - Hip Cake Walk (Highnote, 2001)
- Khani Cole - Places (Fahrenheit Records, 1999)
- Papa John DeFrancesco - Doodlin (Muse, 1992)