Just last week, James Francies was working on a film score with Questlove of the Roots when Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon walked in on them, leading to this priceless photo-op. Building on his experience in The Jazz Gallery’s mentorship program this past winter, Francies has really established himself as an in-demand collaborator in jazz and beyond. In addition to working with the Roots and Raekwon from the Wu Tang Clan, Francies has been touring with vibraphonist Stefon Harris and will be accompanying singer Jose James at the Newport Jazz Festival next month.

This Friday, Francies will return to the Gallery with his own working band, Kinetic. With so much different music floating through his head right now—Hip-Hop, post-bop, film music—it will be fascinating to see what curious combinations come out when he improvises with his talented bandmates. 

James Francies’s Kinetic plays The Jazz Gallery on Friday, July 24th, 2015. The group features Mr. Francies on piano, Charles Altura on guitar, Harish Raghavan on bass, and Jeremy Dutton on drums. $22 general admission ($12 for members) for each set. Free with SummerPass. Purchase tickets here.