My name is Francis Hylton, I am a bassist and DJ from London, UK. I have been playing bass since the 90’s, working first for Acid Jazz band Galliano who were signed to Talkin’ Loud records until 1997. In 1996 we toured the album ‘4’ for three months in Europe, followed by a month in Asia and Australia. It was whilst I was in Japan recording the album ‘Live At The Liquid Room’ that I first met Bluey and Incognito, who were also in Tokyo that evening.

 

After Galliano disbanded, I went on to work with numerous chart Pop and R’n’B artists including the late Lynden David Hall for around three years and various World Music artists such as The Afro Celt Sound System from around 2002.

 

Since 2005 I have been the bassist for Legendary UK Jazz Funk band Incognito, after working with Bluey over the years since our first meeting back in 1996. As well as touring the world several times over, I also co-produce, write (including five singles) and DJ for Incognito as far as Japan and the Middle East.

 

In addition to my full time role in Incognito, I have also been musical director for Rahsaan Patterson in Europe, recorded with Anastasia, Chaka Khan, Lulu, Najee, Miki Imai, Gianna Nannini, Jocelyn Brown and Leon Ware and performed bass live with Cee Lo Green, Mario Biondi, Chaka Khan, Karyn White, Ed Motta, Ray Parker Jr, Terumasa Hino, Miho Fukuhara, Gloria Gaynor, Jocelyn Brown, Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge), Leon Ware, Omar, Carleen Anderson, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, flautist Bobbi Humphrey and House Music pioneer Kerri Chandler.

 

In 2009 I played bass on the song 'Scusa' with Italian rock legend Gianna Nannini for the soundtrack to the Italian movie “Genitori & Figli: Agitare bene prima dell’uso.” I have since recorded three studio albums, a live DVD and toured Italy and Europe with Gianna.

 

Some of my biggest influences as a bassist include Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, Robert ‘Kool’ Bell, Chuck Rainey, Bernard Edwards, Mark Adams, Anthony Jackson, Davide Romani, Prince and of course there are many other bassists and musicians that I look up to across many genres and eras of music... FH