Photo Credit: Dino Perrucci

On Feb. 6, James Francies commenced his six-night residency at New York’s Blue Note venue. The initial slate of dates, Feb. 6 through 8, was billed to include the Francies Trio with Burness Travis and Jeremy Dutton. The host also welcomed Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter as a special addition during the initial night on stage.

Prior to his 2024 Blue Note residency, Francies participated in appearances with The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, with known mentor Quest Love. The experiences allowed him to cross paths with the other co-creator of the Philadelphia ensemble, Black Thought, making for the Feb. 6 team-up.

After the first slate of dates featuring the Trio format, Francies will initiate a series of follow-ups, Feb. 9 through 11, with help from Jeff “Tain” Watts, Walter Smith III, and Larry Grenadier. Tickets remain on sale for early and late performances. 

Photographer Dino Perrucci attended the Feb. 6 concert and shared photos from the experience. 

Read Black Thought’s interview from the Jan./Feb. 2024 issue of Relix.