about paul

Grammy Award-winning drummer and educator Paul Francis has extensive experience working with some of the world’s greatest musicians. He is featured on the Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett album and subsequent PBS special “Cheek to Cheek”, and toured extensively with the duo to support that recording. He continues to perform with Lady Gaga on a regular basis. Paul has also recorded and/or performed with Stevie Wonder, Jose Feliciano, Jon Faddis, David Hazeltine, Jim Belushi, Molly Ringwald, Megan Hilty, The Rockettes, Ralph Lalama, Brian Newman, Rich Little, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and The Albany Symphony Orchestra, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra conducted by Buddy Morrow. Paul has also appeared on shows for HBO, ABC and MTV, and is on the soundtrack for the movie “Friends with Kids”. Paul endorses Yamaha drums, Sabian cymbals, Remo drumheads and Vic Firth drumsticks.

As an educator, Paul has taught all ages and playing levels. He is currently on faculty at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and has taught private lessons and master classes at SUNY Purchase, University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University, as well as continuing to teach at his own private studio. He has also been published in Modern Drummer and Drumhead magazines.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Music from The Ohio State University and a Master of Music from SUNY Purchase. He has studied with musicians such as John Riley, Kenny Washington, Jim Chapin, Jim Rupp, Joe Ong and Chad Rager.

Click here to check out Paul’s interview with the Great John Von Ohlen from the June 2011 issue of Modern Drummer Magazine.

Paul exclusively plays Yamaha Drums, SABIAN cymbals and Vic Firth drumsticks/brushes.