Alexis Ffrench Essentials

There’s a winning formula to Alexis Ffrench’s music. The pianist and composer has spent his life improvising at the piano ever since hearing Stevie Wonder as a young boy. It’s that instinct for improvisation that underpins Ffrench’s music, captivating listeners with what he calls “classical soul”: irresistible melodies within sweeping cinematic textures that keep us coming back for more. There are many influences at play, from the intricate counterpoint of J.S. Bach and the freewheeling harmonies of Debussy to the rich worlds of R&B, modern jazz, and folk. Here’s a selection of Ffrench’s finest, taking in the soaring “Bluebird” and, as performed at the Coronation Concert in May 2023, the inspiring “Guiding Light.”