Jez Franks

Jez took up the guitar aged 15 and attended Leeds College of Music acquiring the College's Jazz Guitar Prize. He co-leads and writes for the band 'Compassionate Dictatorship' who recently released their third album 'Entertaining Tyrants' and toured extensively last year.

He has also played, recorded and toured with a variety of ensembles including F-ire Collective member Tom Arthurs' 'Centripede', Asaf Sirkis' 'Inner Noise', the Koby Israelite Band, 'Centreline', Loz Speyer's 'Timezone', Gerard Presencer, Rick Astley and 'Solstice' alongside Brigitte Beraha, Tori Freestone and John Turville. He has done recordings for Babel, 33 records and FMR and performed at jazz festivals including Cheltenham, London, Manchester, Swanage, Teignmouth and Haskovo (Bulgaria), plus a live performance for Jazz on 3 and tours of Portugal, Poland and Austria.

Jez is also involved in the 'E17 collective', a group of jazz musicians set up to promote and develop the hotbed of talented musicians based in Walthamstow, London.

Jez has taught at degree level for nearly 20 years, and teaches regularly on various summer schools.

“…a staggering improvisational force” All about Jazz website

“Franks is a fluent but punchy player, supple, long-lined solos streaming from his guitars” Chris Parker

“Jez Franks is an accomplished guitarist, capable of dazzling runs and meaty chord play that at times remind me of Kurt Rosenwinkel”, Tom Barlow, Jazzwise