Franc O'Shea

'This is modern contemporary Jazz at its very, very best...more please!' - Jazz FM
'O'Shea displays complete artistic control of his tools both with a commanding sense of superb tone and technical facility. O'Shea's proficiency as a bassist deftly molds this journey into an impressive first rate recording. With this just his first outing, O'Shea has already established himself as a major player' - BASSically.net (USA)

Alltone Records ALFO 003
Esprit is a beautifully eclectic mix of compositions, from spirited improvisations to heartfealt subtle passages, taking in Jazz, Latin, Funk, Be-Bop and African, Esprit weaves a rich and diverse tapestry of colours. The cream of British Jazz players are featured including Gerard Presencer, Byron Wallen and BBC Jazz Awards winner Liane Carroll.

You can buy this CD from www.alltone.co.uk

Dance Architecture
Esprit
Pearl (for Maria)
Bubbaloo

Bé for Baka
Lollapalooza

Opal
Abacus
España y Cariba

CREDITS

1. Dance Architecture (5.28): Franc O'Shea (bass), Tristan Banks (drums), Nigel Hitchcock (alto saxophone), Gerard Presencer (trumpet & flugelhorn), Mark Edwards (piano & keyboards), David Beebee (additional keyboards), Alex Postlethwaite (violins), Charlotte Glasson (violas), Sarah Barker (cellos)

2. Esprit (7.07): Franc O'Shea (fretless bass), Tristan Banks (drums), Julian Nicholas (soprano sax), Mark Edwards (piano & keyboards)

3. Pearl (for Maria) (2.54): Franc O'Shea (bass)

4. Bubbaloo (4.27): Franc O'Shea (fretless bass), Tristan Banks (drums), Byron Wallen (trumpet), Liane Carroll (piano & vocals), Kevin Alexander (alto sax)

5. Bé for Baka (6.22): Franc O'Shea (bass & fretless bass), Tristan Banks (congas, low tom & cymbals), Satin Singh (udu's, guiro), Adé Williams (congas)

6. Lollapalooza (6.17): Franc O'Shea (bass), Tristan Banks (drums), Kevin Alexander (alto sax), Robin Jones (guitar), Mark Edwards (fender rhodes & keyboards), Julian Bendall (fender rhodes melodies)

7. Opal (4.19): Franc O'Shea (bass), Tristan Banks (drums & percussion), Eddie Dove (flute)

8. Abacus (7.06): Franc O'Shea (bass), Tristan Banks (drums), Kevin Alexander (alto sax), Robin Jones (guitar), Mark Edwards (fender rhodes), Julian Bendall (fender rhodes melodies), David Beebee (end piano melody)

9. España y Cariba (6.15): Franc O'Shea (fretless bass), Tristan Banks (drums & percussion), Robin Jones (acoustic guitar), John Crawford (keyboards)

All material composed and produced by Franc O'Shea