Evan and Yonatan met in college and became quick friends and collaborators. When Yonatan was assembling the Avant-Garde Ensemble at USC, Evan was one of the first musicians in mind. It was a time of discovery, exploring freedom within the music, and learning according to Evan, “how to let it take a natural form, letting it just happen and not forcing it.” Around that time Yonatan was studying with Dr. Art Davis, an advocate for experimental music. At one of the Ensemble’s performances Dr. Davis heard Evan and enlisted him to perform with him and Billy Higgins playing John Coltrane’s “Africa.” With a handful of songs developing and preparations beginning to record the album POTS(PleaseObeyTheSigns) Yonatan had written a piece for Dr. Davis entitled “One for Art.” However unfinished, the piece was helped by Evan who completed the end of the bridge, bringing a strong form and flow to the piece. Evan says about that period, “it got me way out of my comfort zone, and would prepare me for things I would do in the future.”
One For Art by Yonatan Elkayam and the Forefront
(Yonatan Elkayam-Composer, Producer, Upright Bass)
(Evan Francis – Co-Composer)
T.V. Franco (a.k.a. Guitarman) by Yonatan Elkayam and the Forefront
(Yonatan Elkayam – Composer, Producer, Upright Bass)
(Evan Francis – alto sax)
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allmusic.com/artist/evan-francis-p458136/credits
