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Michael Franks has cultivated a distinctive career as a singer-songwriter, known for his unique blend of jazz, bossa nova, and sophisticated pop.
Michael Franks has recorded with a variety of well-known artists, such as Patti Austin.
Michael Franks has recorded with a variety of well-known artists, such as Art Garfunkel.
Michael Franks has recorded with a variety of well-known artists, such as Brenda Russell.
Michael Franks has recorded with a variety of well-known artists, such as David Sanborn.
Michael Franks has recorded with a variety of well-known artists, such as Joe Sample.
Michael Franks has recorded with a variety of well-known artists, such as Claus Ogerman.
Featured on his 1976 album, The Art of Tea. This smooth singer-songwriter has created 50 years worth of clever, jazz-infused songs.
Michael Franks' songs have been recorded by Patti LaBelle.
Michael Franks' songs have been recorded by The Manhattan Transfer.
Michael Franks' songs have been recorded by Diana Krall.
Michael Franks' songs have been recorded by Lyle Lovett.
Michael Franks' songs have been recorded by Natalie Cole.
The Music in My Head (Shanachie), Franks’ 18th and latest album and his first since 2011’s Time Together, delivers the same quality of writing and singing that has marked his career from the beginning, replete with absurdly clever rhymes, hip references, and soft-spoken vocals.
Although many people associate him with the West Coast because of his laid-back vocal style, his early recordings on Warner Bros., and his collaboration with bands like the Crusaders and the Yellowjackets, Franks actually has called upstate New York his home for more than four decades.
A downright dog lover, Franks has also committed himself to the cause of animal protection and rescue, doing numerous benefits and special appearances on behalf of [Hearts United for Animals] and other like-minded organizations.
Michael Franks was born on September 18, 1944, in La Jolla, California. Raised in Southern California by his father Jerry and mother Betty, alongside two younger sisters, Franks developed an early appreciation for swing music, influenced by artists such as Peggy Lee and Nat King Cole. At age 14, he began learning guitar, which provided his only formal music education. He attended University High School in San Diego, where he discovered the poetry of Theodore Roethke. Franks pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in comparative literature from UCLA in 1966 and a Master of Arts from the University of Oregon in 1968. He also held a teaching assistantship at the University of Montreal in a Ph.D. program in American literature before returning to teach part-time at UCLA.
Franks began his songwriting career by composing an antiwar musical, “Anthems in E-flat” (1968), which notably starred Mark Hamill. He also provided music for films such as “Cockfighter” (1974) and “Zandy’s Bride” (1974). A significant early milestone was his collaboration with blues legends Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, who recorded three of his songs, including “White Boy Lost in the Blues,” for their 1973 album “Sonny & Brownie.” Franks contributed guitar, banjo, and mandolin to the album and toured with the duo. In 1973, he released his eponymous debut album, later reissued as “Previously Unavailable,” which featured the song “Can’t Seem to Shake This Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
His career advanced significantly with the release of “The Art of Tea” in 1976, marking the beginning of a long association with Warner Bros. Records. This album included the popular song “Popsicle Toes” and featured collaborations with Joe Sample and Larry Carlton. Franks continued to release a steady stream of albums, including “Sleeping Gypsy” (1977), partly recorded in Brazil, and “Burchfield Nines” (1978), which reflected his move to New York City. His discography comprises over 15 albums, featuring well-known works like “When I Give My Love to You,” “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” and “Tiger in the Rain.” His 1983 song “When Sly Calls (Don’t Touch That Phone)” from the album “Passionfruit” was a significant hit. Franks has also contributed to various projects, including a cover of “Christmas Time Is Here” with jazz pianist David Benoit in 1996. Throughout his career, Franks has demonstrated a unique artistic voice, blending literary themes with musical sophistication, and has been actively involved in animal protection and rescue for over two decades.
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