Francine Bell

Brooklyn, New York - born and raised, Francine Bell, one of 13 children, started singing at the age of five. Significantly influenced by years of singing in church, she later joined The High School of Music and Art (part of the School of Performing Arts, the inspiration for the television series FAME) where she studied voice. In 1980, with $52 dollars and a one-way airline ticket in hand, she set out to discover a new life, language and culture: destination - Paris, France.
Within a month of her arrival, she was hired as a resident singer at 'Le Chevalier du Temple'. To enrich her performance, Francine studied French at L'Universite de la Sorbonne in Paris. Francine was spotted by Jacques Martin (France's equivalent to Ray Martin) and was invited to appear on The Dansant, a leading French weekly television show. She recorded a successful self-tilted album as a result of her popularity on the show.

A visit to Australia prompted another change of address. Francine's popularity in Australia grew with regular guest appearances on The Midday Show and Good Morning Australia. She has appeared with the cream of Australian performers such as Julie Anthony, James Morrison, Dame Joan Sutherland, Rhonda Birchmore, Normie Rowe, Tony Barber, Steve Vizard, Tommy Emmanuel, Anthony Warlow and Kamahl.

Since her arrival in Australia, Francine has starred in theatre, films, television, commercials, corporate videos and functions, music clips and voice-overs for Australia and the overseas market. Television performances include guest roles in Mission-Impossible and The Paper Man, a mini series for the ABC with Peta Toppano.

Francine was also featured for a year as a News Presenter for the Qantas International In-Flight Entertainment Program and Entertainer/Ambassador for American Express International in Australia and overseas. She has also worked for charity organisations such as World Vision, ADRA, The Autistic Society and The Wesley Central Mission.

Francine opens her heart wide to give the full power of Black Gospel, Variety and Jazz music. She takes you on a musical excursion from the streets of her native New York through to the cabarets of Europe. There is an unmistakable and compelling quality to her performance.

A Selection of Song Titles from Francine Bell

JAZZ:

The Lady is a Tramp, Ain't MisBehavin', When I Fall in Love, Stardust, PaperMoon, Satin Doll, Bye Bye Blackbird, Lullaby of Birdland, Summertime, Stormy Weather

POP:

New York New York, Pink Cadillac, The Best, Wasn't it Good, My Guy, Old Time Rock & Roll, Kissing You (Romeo & Juliet), The Rose

CLASSICAL:

Habanera (from "Carmen"), Selected French & Italian Arias

GOSPEL:

Old Time Religion, Amazing Grace, Operation Down by the Rivers, Roll Jordan Roll, Sweet Chariot

BROADWAY:

Send In the Clowns, Memory (Cats), Phantom selections, The Best of Times