Jeffrey James Franca, acclaimed live percussionist for the legendary downtempo dub duo Thievery Corporation, has set out his next sonic excursion. With experience and style well-honed through decades of work with a wide range of high-profile artists, the drummer and producer now wields his expertise in ETHNO, a new solo project that expresses his manifold musical interests. Franca has debuted his ETHNO identity through a sprawling fall tour alongside Flamingosis and The Motet, which continues through Nov. 24., and an upcoming EP premiered by the recent single “Brixton Dream.”
ETHNO first set out on this tour on Oct. 29, when he joined Flamingosis & The Bodega Groove Collective for a slate of dates through the Midwest and Northeast, both serving as drummer and musical director for the band and staging his own solo sets. Last weekend, he traveled with the jam-funk ensemble through the Mid-Atlantic to the Southeast, stopping at Washington’s Union Stage on Nov. 9 and Charlotte, N.C.’s Music Yard on Nov. 10. He’ll perform next tomorrow. Nov. 12, at Atlanta’s Aisle 5, then head South to Houston’s White Oak Music Hall on Nov. 14. With subsequent sets at Austin, Texas’ Parish on Nov. 15 and Oklahoma City’s Beer City Hall on Nov. 16, he’ll switch over to a final lap with The Motet.
ETHNO’s fall tour will light up again on Nov. 19, when he joins the funk pioneers for a first stop at Kansas City, Mo.’ recordBar. The combo will continue on for five further dates through the region in a nonstop run, including sessions at Omaha, Neb.’s Waiting Room Lounge, Des Moines, Iowa’s Wooly’s, St. Paul, Minn.’s Amsterdam Hall and the Majestic Theatre in Madison, Wis. After this haul, Franca will wrap his current series with a staging at the Redstone Room in Davenport, Iowa on Nov. 24.
With his solo moniker, Franco continues his longstanding endeavor to blend global rhythms and with the syncopation of electronic-influenced styles, as exemplified in his previous work with Thievery Corporation and Bill Kreutzman, serving as a drummer to the Billy and the Kids outfit. Through his instrumental prowess and bold, imaginative interweavings of intricate world beats and anthemic tech-house production, ETHNO cultivates a “future world music sound,” one founded in the roots of classical rhythms and seeking brave new sonic horizons.
“We are all connected, rhythmically, sonically, and spiritually,” Franca reflects. “Life is fun, music is fun, and it’s our greatest joy to connect people and cultures through this universal language.”
Learn more about ETHNO and his ongoing fall tour at ethno-global.com. Listen to “Brixton Dream” on all streaming platforms now.
ETHNO Fall Tour Dates:
• 11/12 - Aisle 5 - Atlanta * • 11/14 - White Oak Music Hall - Houston * • 11/15 - Parish - Austin, Texas * • 11/16 - Beer City Hall - Oklahoma City * • 11/19 - recordBar - Kansas City, Mo. + • 11/20 - Waiting Room Lounge - Omaha, Neb. + • 11/21 - Wooly’s - Des Moines, Iowa + • 11/22 - Amsterdam Hall - St. Paul, Minn. + • 11/23 - Majestic Theatre - Madison, Wis. + • 11/24 – RedStone Room – Davenport, Iowa +
* Flamingosis & The Bodega Groove Collective Dates || + The Motet Dates
