hotevents Roof top music
On Saturday 14 January the HM team paid an impromptu visit to Kensington Roof Gardens for the opening night of a new event series hosted by Jazz FM.
The HM team were on the prowl for smokin’ artist to feature in next month’s ‘Hot One’s to Watch’ and without sounding like groupies we attended especially to see the performance of one artist in particular, Hannah Francis.
Having listened to her material that very same week, and instantly falling in love with her amazing voice, I made contact with her management and voila got prepared for what was certain to be a hot night at Kensington Roof Gardens. This venue never fails to impress, with its variety of transferable spaces, contemporary décor and trendy cosmopolitan crowd. Even in less than 10 degree temperatures, one could be swayed to chill outdoors! However it was comforting to know this event was taking place indoors!
Within half an hour of arriving, people had already begun to congregate around the mini stage area waiting for the show to start.
A petite Hannah Francis took to the stage donning a fierce Electric Blue Peplum dress, and Fur shrug looking like UK’s answer to Janelle Monae, joined by two backing singers and her live band.
I was anxious to see how her recorded voice would translate live, but after hearing Hannah belt out just one note, there could be no doubt that this girl has got soul!
Her opening track was one of my favourite songs from her debut album titled ‘Means To An End’. Initially it took a moment for the crowd to engage with her material. However once the vibe was set there could be no stopping people’s heads from nodding and shoes shuffling. Impressed by Hannah’s material from the offset, I happily mimed along as though I had been a fan for years.
and all that jazz Hot new talent at Jazz FM Live
Hannah fused classic Soul and RnB tracks into her playlist hitting us with her fresh contemporary sounds and gave us her own take of Neo Soul covers by Musiq Soul Child and Sunshine Anderson.
While drawing her style and inspiration from Gospel music, Blues and grass roots Soul, Hannah literally blew us away with her twist on ‘Falling’ by Alicia Keys by skillfully fusing ‘A Man’s World’ by the legendary James Brown. Simply put – I can see a fruitful career ahead for this artist as she offers her refreshing take of New R&B Soul
Jazz FM Live brings hot talent to the Roof Gardens over four consecutive weeks starting January 14. Featuring the best in live jazz, nu soul and funk acoustic sessions To find out more check out http://www.jazzfm. com. For more info on Hannah visit
www.hannahrancsonline.com
Words: Lesley B Photography: Okito Gonzales
hotminute mag 11
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