A native of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Dr. Graeme Francis is Adjunct Professor of Percussion at The College of St. Rose, Hartwick College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he teaches percussion, drum set, jazz history, rock history, and directs the percussion ensembles. Previously, Graeme taught for ten years at the University of Texas at San Antonio, performing regularly with the San Antonio Symphony and Austin Symphony Orchestra. His various jazz projects have seen him featured at clubs and festivals throughout the US and Canada, including performances at Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theatre, and dates with Chuck Lamb, Eric Alexander, Doc Watkins, Joe Magnarelli, John Stowell, and Scott Robinson.
Graeme Francis
The College of St. Rose, Hartwick College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Graeme
Francis
IN 3
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Most memorable Next-Level Performance
Performing with the Doc Watkins Trio at Carnegie Hall - it was just one of those special nights where the trio was really fired up to play, we had one of the greatest rooms in the world to play in, and the audience was totally behind us. What a feeling! -
What Drives Your Creativity?
I'm lucky to have a 50/50 split between the teaching and playing parts of my career, and I love it. Working with my students forces me to constantly reevaluate my playing, and my playing reinvigorates my teaching. They are two sides of the same coin for me, and that balance helps me develop my craft continuously. -
Why do you choose Vic Firth?
When you have the right stick or mallet in your hand, it's as if the instrument you're playing isn't just easier to play, it becomes more versatile, more expressive, a more musical representation of yourself, and that's what I get from my Vic Firth sticks and mallets.
BEHIND THE KIT
