Bob FRANCESCHINI

Bob Franceschini (pronounced Fran-chess-ski-knee) is a New York saxophonist from a multicultural family.

Trained at the High School of Music and Art in New York, he began very early an international career as a soloist, arranger, composer, and producer alongside major figures of jazz, Latin jazz, funk, salsa, pop, R&B, and world music.

He has collaborated with world-renowned artists such as George Benson, Eddie Palmieri, Woody Shaw, Kenny Kirkland, Chris Botti, Tower Of Power, Randy Brecker, Chaka Khan, Michel Camilo, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Richard Bona, Jennifer Lopez, and Paul Simon. His first major project was with the Tom Browne Band, alongside Marcus Miller, Omar Hakim, and Bobby Broom.

Musical Career

Bob Franceschini has recorded on more than 200 albums, contributed to numerous film and television scores (notably for Sidney Lumet and Paul Schrader), as well as countless commercial jingles.

He is particularly recognized for his work with guitarist Mike Stern, with whom he still tours today. Together, they recorded Stern’s last five Grammy-nominated albums, as well as two critically acclaimed DVDs.

For more than 8 years, he has regularly toured with prestigious ensembles:

 
➤ Substitute for Bob Mintzer in the legendary group The Yellowjackets

 
➤ Substitute for Eric Marienthal in Jeff Lorber Fusion

More recently, he performed in the TRYPNOTYX trio with bassist Victor Wooten and drummer Dennis Chambers, whose 2017 album reached the iTunes Top 10 multiple times.

Teaching and Pedagogy

A renowned musician but also a dedicated educator, Bob Franceschini regularly leads masterclasses and workshops around the world.

He has taught theory, composition, and improvisation for more than 7 years at the Victor Wooten’s Center for Music and Nature in Nashville, welcoming students of all ages and backgrounds.

He is also co-creator and co-director of the intensive workshop “Inside:Outside Saxophone Retreat” (Wooten Woods), alongside Bob Reynolds and Bob Hemenger.

This camp, now an international reference, has hosted as guest professors legendary saxophonists such as Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Steve Wilson, Kirk Whalum, Branford Marsalis, and Jeff Coffin.