A talented pianist and musician of multitudinous adventures (Don Cherry, Jim Pepper, Jane Bunnett�) Claudine Fran�ois is a many-faceted artist who, within the expression of her art, incorporates African, Caribbean and African-American post-bop influences without ever renouncing her European roots.

After outstanding classical studies followed by a career as a concert pianist and parallel teaching activities (in high schools and workshops for children, adolescents and adults), she turned to improvisation and jazz after being

exposed to other influences, notably the memorable performance of The Art Ensemble of Chicago's in Paris. She went on to participate in jazz workshops with Jacques Thollot, Daniel Humair, Henri Texier and Claudine eventually founded a free jazz group.

In 1983 she obtained a SACEM prize at the la D�fense competition.
Claudine composes for theater, dance and has also put out a compilation of her works (publisher: Henry Lemoine).

Claudine began touring with the musical show , "Cirque de Barbarie", then with her own groups after being influenced by the American drummer John Betsch, with whom she recorded her albums " Camargue " (as well as with the regretted saxophonist Jim Pepper) and " Healing Force " - between European sensibility et American groove.

Her love of African cultures and rhythms has led her to collaborate with musicians from Cameroon and Benin with whom she created the Metis Quintet, a band which mixes jazz and sounds from contemporary African sources. The Quintet has toured in France and Africa. In 2002 the album " Amazon " was released with saxophonist Jean-Jacques �langu�, trumpeter Nicolas Genest, bassist Andr� Nkouaga and drummer Denis Tchangou.

While continuing her adventure with the M�tis Quintet, at the beginning of 2004 she released " Lonely Woman " (Marge) by Claudine Fran�ois Quartet a new 'Post Bop" album with Steve Potts (saxophone), Jean-Jacques Avenel (double bass), and John Betsch (drums).

The well named "Piano Solo, was digitally released in 2010 on the label Sergent Major.

Claudine recentely worked with New Yorkan guitar player Dan Rose for their duet album "Oasis" (Enja 2013) and has released begining of 2014 the album "Flying Eagle" with Hamid Drake (drums) & Hubert Dupont (acoustic bass) on label Futura Marge.

Claudine Fran�ois also plays with:
Marion Brown, Richard Raux, Bobby Rangell, Rasul Siddik, Iraru Oki, Bobby Few, Dan Rose, Stefan Persiani, Kent Carter, Wayne Dockery, Paolo Cardoso, Gildas Scouarnec, Jack Gregg, James Lewis, Fran�ois Mechali, Raymond Doumbe, No�l McGhee, Bob De Meo, Brice Wassy, Orlando Poleo, Roger Raspail, Tiacoh Sadia, Lee Konitz � and numerous other musicians.

In Europe and other places in France : Berlin, Munich, Francfort, Hambourg, Hannovre, Freiburg, Stuttgart, Ulm, Karlsruhe, Luxembourg, Vienne, Copenhague, Amsterdam, Bruxelles, Gand, Venise, Londres, Gen�ve, Zurich, Ath�nes, Istanbul, Bilbao, Lisbonne, Porto, Metz, Avignon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, P�rigueux, Rouen, La Ciotat�

She has performed in Africa (Douala, Yaound�, Cotonou, Abidjan, Maputo �), in the U.S.A.
in in many clubs, venues and festivals