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Bob Franceschini (pronounced Fran-chess-ski-knee) is a New York–based saxophonist from a multicultural family. Trained at the High School of Music and Art in New York, he began an international career at an early age as a soloist, arranger, composer, and producer, performing alongside leading figures in jazz, Latin jazz, funk, salsa, pop, R&B, and world music.
He has collaborated with world-renowned artists such as George Benson, Eddie Palmieri, Woody Shaw, Kenny Kirkland, Chris Botti, Tower Of Power, Randy Brecker, Chaka Khan, Michel Camilo, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Richard Bona, Jennifer Lopez, and Paul Simon. His first major project was with the Tom Browne Band, performing alongside Marcus Miller, Omar Hakim, and Bobby Broom.
Musical Career
Bob Franceschini has recorded on over 200 albums, contributed to numerous film and television scores (including work with Sidney Lumet and Paul Schrader), and performed on countless commercial jingles.
He is particularly celebrated for his long-standing collaboration with guitarist Mike Stern, with whom he continues to tour. Together, they have recorded Stern’s last five Grammy-nominated albums as well as two critically acclaimed DVDs.
For more than 8 years, he has regularly toured with prestigious ensembles: ➤ Substitute for Bob Mintzer in the legendary group The Yellowjackets
➤ Substitute for Eric Marienthal in Jeff Lorber Fusion
More recently, he joined the trio TRYPNOTYX with bassist Victor Wooten and drummer Dennis Chambers. Their 2017 album reached the iTunes Top 10 charts multiple times.
Teaching and Pedagogy
In addition to his performing career, Bob Franceschini is a dedicated educator. He leads masterclasses and workshops worldwide, teaching theory, composition, and improvisation for over 7 years at the Victor Wooten’s Center for Music and Nature in Nashville, where he welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds.
He is also the co-creator and co-director of the “Inside:Outside Saxophone Retreat” (Wooten Woods), alongside Bob Reynolds and Bob Hemenger. This intensive program, now an international reference, has hosted world-class saxophone legends such as Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Steve Wilson, Kirk Whalum, Branford Marsalis, and Jeff Coffin.
