'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO

Hard Bop • United States
Jazz music community with review and forums
'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO picture
The father of Joey DeFrancesco, "Papa John" had his career revived when his son's success helped bring about the renaissance of the Hammond organ. John's father had played reeds with various swing bands, including the Dorsey Brothers. John DeFrancesco began playing trumpet when he was six and did not start playing organ until his wife bought him an organ for his 23rd birthday. After a few months of nearly nonstop practicing, he was ready to perform in clubs. In 1967 DeFrancesco moved to Philadelphia and soon he was part of the Philadelphia jazz scene. However, in 1979 when Joey turned eight and started playing professionally, John temporarily gave up his career in order to supervise his son. Another son, Johnny DeFrancesco, developed into a fine guitarist. In the 1990s, John DeFrancesco returned to a more active playing career, recording two strong sets for Muse (Doodlin' and Comin' Home -- both read more...
Thanks to js for the addition and snobb for the updates

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Online Videos

See all 'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO videos

Buy 'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO music

More places to buy jazz & 'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO music

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Discography

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO albums / top albums

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Comin' Home album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Comin' Home
Hard Bop 1995
'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Hip Cake Walk album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Hip Cake Walk
Hard Bop 2001
'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Jumpin` album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Jumpin`
Hard Bop 2003
'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Walking Uptown album cover 5.00 | 1 ratings
Walking Uptown
Hard Bop 2004
'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Desert Heat album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Desert Heat
Hard Bop 2006
'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Big Shot album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Big Shot
Hard Bop 2009
'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO A Philadelphia Story album cover 3.50 | 2 ratings
A Philadelphia Story
Hard Bop 2011

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO EPs & splits

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO live albums

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO demos, promos, fans club and other releases (no bootlegs)

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO re-issues & compilations

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO singles (0)

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO movies (DVD, Blu-Ray or VHS)

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Reviews

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO A Philadelphia Story

Album · 2011 · Hard Bop
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
snobb
Papa John DeFrancesco played organ with some known jazzmen around Philadelphia in the 70s, but possibly he is better known as father and teacher of his son, keyboardist/trumpeter Joey DeFrancesco.

John returned back to active musicianship and recording music in the 90s and from that time released a few albums. His most current, 'A Philadelphia Story', is the one really worth listening to.

With help from one of his other sons, guitarist John DeFrancesco, and a few more collaborated musicians, Papa John plays excellent soul-jazz, bluesy tunes, funky hard bop - without tricks or modernization, but with mastership and soul. His other son, Joey, plays a few trumpet solos on this recording as well.

The tunes are all mostly well known, so no surprises here as well - great music tested by time, played by Hammond B3 master. Album doesn't sound dated, but at the same time perfectly builds the atmosphere of early 70s. Funky guitar, blues/rock influenced sound, lots of organ passages, no modern electronics, old-fashioned sound mix (which excellently fits here)- great album for the heart.

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Movies Reviews

No 'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO movie reviews posted yet.

'PAPA' JOHN DEFRANCESCO Shouts

Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Sunset Park Post Bop
TOBIAS MEINHART
Buy this album from MMA partners
Carlos Zíngaro, Carlos Bechegas, Ernesto Rodrigues : Spleen Jazz Related Improv/Composition
CARLOS ZINGARO
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Alicante
RENAUD GARCIA-FONS
js· 1 day ago
She's Forty with Me
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Tall Tillie's Too Tight
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us