Francine is a compelling, versatile singer, songwriter, and recording artist based in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. She has performed her original music for audiences Locally, Nationally and Inter-Nationally. Classically trained and able to interpret many styles of music such as Rock, Blues, Jazz, Reggae, Folk, Classical and her favorite R + B, Francine incorporates these influences into her own music.

She is no stranger to the Ottawa music scene. Her voice is known in almost every club in the Ottawa region as well as numerous clubs in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, Spain and France.
She has sung at major Ottawa venues including the NAC Studio, the Museum of Civilization, and the Congress Centre.
In addition to singing at several festivals in Montreal, she has sung at all the major festivals in the Ottawa region including:

• The Festival of Spring (formerly known as the Ottawa Tulip Festival)
• The Franco-Ontarien Festival
  
• The Ottawa Blues Festival
  
• The Ottawa Jazz Festival
  
• The Ottawa Rhythm and Blues Festival
  
• The Ottawa Festival of Children

Francine studied classical voice and piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and studied classical voice up to the level of ARTC.

She formed Francine and Friends in 1995, an R & B, Blues, Rock, Funk band.
Her extensive experience on the live music scene has included lead and backup vocals, performing with bands such as the such as the Tony D Band The Texas Wailers and Edwin & The Bedouins.
She sang and wrote background vocals for Garnet Challenger and the Connection Band and has also lent her voice to Choonga Changa (Children's entertainment), The Mighty Popo, Straight No Chaser, Subterranean Boogiemen, Le dernier Mohican, Arc-en-ciel and Boom.

As well as singing in both French and English, she composes music and writes her own lyrics, and her first CD (What Goes Around Comes Around) released December 2001, is a reflection of the myriad of styles that makes her unique. It includes 8 original pieces, 2 gutsy interpretations of R & B classics, and an amazing bonus track. Until the release of her CD you can hear her backup vocals on several recordings including "The Lion's Wide Awake", and "Stone" by Garnet Challenger and the Connection Band, and "Pour toi, j'ai traversé le détroit de Béring" by Edwin and the Bedouins.
Francine has recently recorded the track 'Rainbow Blues' (a tribute to the legendary blues venue The Rainbow Bistro where she appears regularly) with Ottawa based recording artists Bombast Blues.

Jeff Healey graced her stage during her CD Release at The Rainbow. He played 3 songs with her and sang a duet to the delight of the crowd. This summer, Francine performed at the 'Dancing in the Streets' celebration of life for cancer survivors. Mr. Healey was headlining as well. She invited him to her evening performance and he came in to take in her show while he was unwinding from this Jazz Wizards performance. A few of his musicians got up to join Francine and her band on a few tunes.

Giving back to the community... Francine won a Government of Canada Idol contest with the assistance of the Northern Nation Singers Choir in 2004. The CEO of the United Way was present and totally impressed by Francine's voice and performance so she asked her to perform at the 2005 Opening Ceremonies of the GCWCC (Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign). From that one performance, she was asked to play for several government departments in support of the campaign that same year. Francine and her band also played at the Achievement Ceremonies (closing) last year at the Museum of Civilizations. This year, Francine was asked to MC the PWGSC Idol competition. She was again, invited to perform at several United Way events across government.

Francine & Friends Unplugged (Al Tambay and Al Wilmore) have performed for Dinners Unlimited events to entertain those who are less fortunate in our community. 'The guys and I look forward to entertaining these people of all ages. Many do not eat on a daily basis. We completely endorse and appreciate the work done by the folks at Dinners Unlimited. Giving our time is such a simple thing for us to do and yet, the audience is as appreciative as if we had given them all the money in the world. It truly makes us realize how fortunate we really are. Some of these people slept under a bridge in minus 28 Degree weather last night while we were snuggled in our blankets and heated homes. Sure makes you think...'.

Francine has raised 3 sons and CHEO has been a life saver for her family on several occasions. When asked to participate in a few CHEO telethons, she was grateful for the opportunity to do something so someone else's family could benefit from the multitude of services this Hospital offers to so many kids.

She has appeared on various television shows including the A-Channel and CTV news numerous times while promoting her new CD, upcoming shows and of course, for the United Way and Dinners Unlimited.