Frances Knight studied fine art, then gradually switched to jazz piano, beginning her apprenticeship by playing gigs around London and studying at Goldsmiths adult education with Howard Riley. She eventually joined the Guildhall School of Music postgraduate jazz course. My Dream Kitchen, a trio project withwith bassist Alex Keen and drummer Vince Clarke, features original compositions as well as an eclectic choice of covers. An album of the same name released in 2007 on the Mandeville label was described as ‘a terrific record’ by Jazzwise Magazine. It features saxophonist Paul Booth. Previous albums are Tales From the Front Room, featuring legendary clarinettist Tony Coe and a trio cd Ripple. Tracks from these recordings have been played on the BBC and Europewide.
The latest cd Frog in Love will feature accordonist Aidan Shepherd and Tony Coe, and should be released early 2012.
Frances’s musical experiences are wide-ranging, from standards to free music, as well as Argentinean Tango http://losmareados.co.uk and other world music. With Hugh Hopperof Soft Machine, she released two improvised albums:The Mind in the Trees featuring Elton Dean, and The Swimmer with vocalist Jan Ponsford. She also a prolific songwriter/lyricist, and has won a European Musicians Federation songwriting prize.
‘Intriguing lines and rich harmonies..’ Peter Martin Jazz UK
‘pianist Knight displays an exquisite touch ... beautifully articulated melodic tendrils’ (!) Peter Quinn, Jazzwise