Drew Francis 1961 - 1999

My new CD Island Garden is dedicated to the memory of my best friend and musical mentor Drew Francis. Drew was the consummate musician, composer and arranger. Everything that he was involved with turned to gold because of his genius. On my debut CD, Not Your Typical New Yorker, he was close to his death but somehow managed to summon the strength to help me finish producing the CD. His playing on my first CD was spectacular and being it is his last recording I will always cherish it.

Drew truly had a unique sound both in his writing and playing. In all the years that I had known him I had never heard him practice his horn. The only things he practiced were maintenance exercises to keep his tone together. Drew was also an accomplished keyboardist and synthesist and producer. It is unfortunate the world never knew this true musical genius. I hope in the coming years to record some of Drew's music. May he rest in peace.