Alexis Ffrench
Biography
Classical-Soul pioneer, Alexis Ffrench, has created his own lane for fearless music making — reimagining and reframing classical music for new audiences. His artistry spans virtuoso classical performances, original works for piano and symphony orchestra, dazzling improvised performances, and the creation of timeless melodies imbued with soaringly romantic lyricism. He has established a reputation for creating bold artistic statements that traverse borderless stylistic territory — broadening the horizons of classical music to reach an ever more diverse audience.
Signed exclusively to Sony Masterworks, Alexis remarkable work as a Pianist, Composer and Record Producer has amassed a staggering half a billion streams and he ranks among the Top 10 most streamed classical artists in the world — following on from the success of his #1 albums, Evolution and Dreamland.
He has headlined some of the most prestigious venues in the world including London’s Royal Albert Hall, Japan’s Orchard Hall, New York’s Guggenheim Museum, Zenith Stadium, Paris, Amsterdam’s Heineken Music Hall, and many more iconic locations. He has collaborated with top fashion houses Miyake and Hugo Boss, played Latitude Festival, worked with pop superstars Paloma Faith and Leona Lewis, composed several major film scores, and shares the same management team as Little Mix & Niall Horan.
Truth, his latest album, is his most powerful and political to date, and his most optimistic. “I imagined what the world would look like if everybody had the opportunity to ask themselves the questions ‘who am I?’ and ‘what is my purpose in the world?’ and what we, as a human race, could create and change together.” Featuring Alexis’ signature piano & orchestra sound, alongside rare collaborations including the searingly soulful One Look with his friend Leona Lewis, Truth captures Alexis’ hopes for the future and his belief that change is already upon us.
A passionate advocate for music education, Alexis is a Governing Body Member and Trustee of the Royal Academy of Music, London, and holds the position of Artistic Director of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music — the first in its 132 history.
An alumnus of Purcell School of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and De Montfort University (from which he holds an MA in Music, Technology and Innovation) Alexis recently partnered with the Royal Academy of Music and Sony Music’s Social Justice Fund to offer two scholarships, supporting and nurturing the talents of two UK or International students throughout their undergraduate studies at the RAM.
In June 2022, Alexis was awarded the prestigious PPL Classical Award at the NordoffRobbins #O2SilverClefs.
Current album
Classical Soul Vol. 1
Artists Alexis FfrenchRelease Date: 09/26/2024
Renowned classical-soul pianist & composer Alexis Ffrench is thrilled to announce the release of his latest album, Classical Soul Vol. 1, arriving September 26th via Sony Classical. This much-anticipated project marks Ffrench's first brand new studio recording in two years and promises to be a nostalgic journey through the timeless sounds that have shaped his unique musical DNA.
Drawing inspiration from his late father’s cherished record collection, Classical Soul Vol. 1 masterfully blends Ffrench’s signature classical sound with his early influences from soul icons, such as Roberta Flack and her unforgettable 'Killing Me Softly,' which won the Grammy for Record of the Year 50 years ago.
The album includes the recent single "Soar", an uplifting multi-cultural anthem featuring Congolese singer-songwriter Fally Ipupa and Pentaonix' cellist and beatboxer Kevin Olusola, celebrating people coming together at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Recorded at the legendary Miraval Studios in France, owned by Brad Pitt and Damien Quintard and known for hosting some of the most incredible names in music; the studio served as the perfect environment to create Alexis’ deeply personal, nostlagic and reflective album.
Classical Soul Vol. 1 is a continuation of the poignant and avant-garde music that has defined Alexis Ffrench’s career, solidifying his status as one of the UK’s most distinctive and groundbreaking artists. As the pioneer of the 'Classical Soul' genre, Ffrench has captured the hearts of millions worldwide, with over one billion streams across his catalogue. His previous chart-topping albums, Dreamland and Evolution, have established him as the fastest-growing classical artist worldwide, resonating with a diverse audience that spans generations.
Speaking about the album, Ffrench said;
"This album is a reflection of my musical heritage and the soundtrack of my life. It’s an ode to the music that has shaped me—not just as an artist, but as a person. I wanted to capture the soul of these influences while infusing them with the classical elements that are so intrinsic to my identity."
Fans and newcomers alike can expect Classical Soul Vol. 1 to be an exploration of the rich tapestry of sounds that have influenced Ffrench throughout his life. With its heartfelt nods to the past and a modern twist, this album is poised to become a landmark in his already illustrious career.
A pioneering superstar of Classical Soul, Alexis’s sound refuses to be limited by genre, time period, or by expectations of the kind of musician he should be. Rather than leaning into the narrow, traditional understandings of ‘classical’, Alexis instead leans outward, expansive in his perspective, drawing on a mosaic of influences that takes the listener by the hand and leads them on a journey through a world of possibility.
