Neal Francis

Neal Francis (born Neal Francis O’Hara in Livingston, New Jersey, on September 4, 1988) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician (pianist & keyboard player) based in Chicago (USA). Francis began playing professionally as a teenager and by the age of 18 was touring Europe with Muddy Waters’ son and backing up other prominent blues artists coast-to-coast. In 2012, Francis joined popular Chicago instrumental funk band The Heard. With Francis at the creative helm, The Heard transformed into a national act, touring with The New Mastersounds and The Revivalists, and appearing at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest and Bear Creek. Despite the success of the band, Francis left The Heard in 2015. In 2019 he resurfaced with a first solo album, and in 2021 a second followed.