Born: October 16, 1966 Primary Instrument: Bass, electric
FRANC O'SHEA Composer/Bass Guitar/Composer
Franc was born of Irish, English and Spanish blood in Swaziland, Africa. He was influenced by the sounds of the native’s songs and drumming as his mother would take him to tribal gatherings. After living in Indonesia for two years he moved to England when he was 6 and took up the bass guitar at the age of 12. His open spirit led him to discover a love for all types of music including Jazz, Flamenco, Funk, Irish Folk, African, Rock and Classical.
He was a founding member of the Brazilian dance combo BATU in 1992. Their first single ‘Seasons of my mind’ which they recorded in Paris became a world wide club and radio hit. They also toured Europe regularly playing at major festivals such as Glastonbury as well as appearing on television in the UK. Their last recording was for Island Records on their ‘Rebirth of Cool’ series.
O’Shea has also performed with many popular artists including the legendary YES guitarist STEVE HOWE, the renowned 70’s Folk singer BEVERLEY MARTYN, and chart topping soul sensation LISA MOORISH with whom he appeared many times on European television. He has also recorded singles with garage band BAH SAMBA supplying the bass for their international club hit 'Reach Inside' as well as appearing on their critically acclaimed debut album 'Bah Samba'.
In the field of Jazz, Franc has worked with many top players including concerts with the famous American singer JOE LEE WILSON (Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins) who was the winner of the coveted 'Downbeat poll' in the singers category for 3 years consecutive. He has worked with one of the UK's greatest saxophonist's BOBBY WELLINS, whose classic 1965 album 'Under Milk Wood', is regarded by many critics as the best British Jazz album of all time. Franc has also recorded with trumpeter GERARD PRESENCER (Joni Mitchell, Sting) who is renowned for his soloing on the Us3 reworking of 'Cantaloupe Island' which was a major hit internationally.
Franc's debut album, ‘Esprit', features many top players including NIGEL HITCHCOCK (Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Jamiroquai), BYRON WALLEN (Incognito, George Benson, Grace Jones) and GERARD PRESENCER (Sting, Joni Mitchell, Us3). It has received excellent reviews from many leading publications such as The Observer, Musician, Jazz Journal International, Bassist and Jazzwise as well as receiving lots of radio play internationally.
In addition, two tracks from ‘Esprit’ were selected for the ‘Bass Talk' compilation series. They appear alongside tracks by Victor Wooten, Michael Manring, and former Chick Corea bassist Bunny Brunel. Another track appeared on the American magazine 'Bassics' compilation album alongside tracks by Miles Davis bassist Marcus Miller and Joe Zawinul bassist Matthew Garrison. Also he has participated in the 2003 European Bass Day in The Netherlands and contributed a track for a compilation album of bassists that played at this event, such as Dominique Di Piazza, Norm Stockton, etc.
O'Shea is about to release his next album 'Alkimia' on 6 June 2006. This album features internationally renowned artists such as JORGE PARDO, RUBEM DANTAS (both of them in Chick Corea’s Touchstone band and were in Paco de Lucia’s sextet), JUAN MANUEL CAçIZARES (Paco de Lucia), NAN MERCADER, CHEMA VILCHEZ, BENJAMIN SARFAS, PHILIPPE BARNES, etc.
For more information, contact his manager Maria Romero on +44 (0) 1273 820395, mobile +044 (0) 7775 898545 or at mariaromero@azulah.com. Also you can check www.azulah.com (sound samples) and www.francoshea.com.
