Francis Jams - Steel Band Soloist

Born and raised in Manchester, England, I began playing the pan at the age of 11 in a primary school steelband. Perhaps due to my Afro-Caribbean origins, I felt almost instantaneously at ease with the pan, and the calypso/soca music we began learning.

A year or so later, I was asked to join the Manchester Youth Steel Orchestra, where we practised a more varied repertoire, and I began to understand the rhythms and rules of latin, jazz, and classical music.

Then, I started to teach the pan in schools in Manchester

At the age of 21 I travelled to France, and met 'Calypsociation,' a large steelband school in Paris where I started to teach adults.

Whilst in France, I met with one of Europe's finest steel orchestras 'Panash' Soon they invited me to play with them, and I became good friends with one of Europe's best pannists and musicians, Laurent Lalsingu and with him I was able to refine my musical knowledge, and work on my hearing, and improvisation.

My repertoire as a soloist is mostly Calypso/Soca, but I also like to play Bossa nova, Salsa, and when necessary, some Jazz.

I like to add spice to my songs with jazzy improvisations now and then.