Panama Francis


David Albert "Panama" Francis was an American swing jazz drummer who played on numerous hit recordings in the 1950s.

Early life

Francis was born in Miami, Florida, on December 21, 1918. His father was Haitian, and "his mother came from an English property-owning background in the Bahamas". His father collected records. The young David was enthusiastic about music and playing the drums even before attending school. He initially played in marching bands and local drum and bugle corps.

Career

Francis first played professionally in the 1930s. He was part of George Kelly's band from 1934 to 1938, and was then with the Florida Collegians in 1938. After moving to New York that year, he worked with Tab Smith, Billy Hicks, and Roy Eldridge before the 1940s. Francis acquired his nickname from Eldridge "at a moment when was wearing a panama hat and Eldridge could not remember his new drummer's name".
Francis joined Lucky Millinder's big band in 1940, so often played at the Savoy Ballroom. After leaving Millinder he was with Willie Bryant's band, and then Cab Calloway ; he was in three short films alongside the latter.
For much of the 1950s, Francis was a studio musician in New York, accompanying rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll groups and singers. The hits he played on included: Bobby Darin ; the Four Seasons ; the Platters, Dion DiMucci "Runaround Sue", Neil Sedaka ; and Jackie Wilson.
From 1963 Francis toured with singer Dinah Shore for five years. He then resided in California but struggled to find work. He toured Japan with saxophonist Sam "the Man" Taylor in 1970–71, and appeared on film again in 1972, in Lady Sings [the Blues (film)|Lady Sings the Blues]. Back in New York, Francis was part of Sy Oliver's nonet from 1973 to 1975, during which time he also appeared at jazz festivals and toured internationally with other bands. He revived the Savoy Sultans jazz and dance band in 1979, and he appeared regularly at the Rainbow Room in New York City for eight years from 1980. Francis became drummer in the Benny Goodman Quartet for concerts in 1982. He appeared in the 1994 film The Statesmen of Jazz as a member of the Statesmen of Jazz.

Personal life and final years

David Francis died on November 13, 2001, following a stroke, at age 82.

Discography

As leader

Latin American Dixieland Exploding Drums The Beat Behind the Million Sellers Gettin' in the Groove
  • ''Panama Francis and the Savoy Sultans''

As sideman

With Eddie BarefieldEddie Barefield The Indestructible E. B.
With Tony BennettTo My Wonderful One
With Ray BryantGroove House Hot Turkey
With Milt BucknerGreen Onions Midnight Slows Vol 6
With Solomon BurkeIf You Need Me King Solomon
With Cab CallowayHi De Ho Man Jumpin' Jive
With Arnett CobbJumpin' at the Woodside The Wild Man from Texas Keep On Pushin'
With Ray ConniffS Awful Nice Ray Conniff's Concert in Stereo Live in Japan
With Sam CookeMy Kind of Blues Twistin' the Night Away
With Dion DiMucciRunaround Sue
With Earl HinesHines '74 Earl Hines at Sundown The Dirty Old Men
With John Lee HookerIt Serve You Right to Suffer
With Brownie McGhee and Sonny TerryA Long Way from Home I Couldn't Believe My Eyes
With Wilson PickettIn the Midnight Hour
With Big Joe TurnerSinging the Blues Joe's Back in Town Effervescent
With others'