“From time to time, Robert drops by the Wednesday night jazz gig I produce,” recalls Aeronaut Records owner John Mastro about the album’s inception. “He’s not a jazz guy by any means, but he does love good musicianship and a decent cocktail. The last time he came by I asked him to sing a standard with the band. The only tune he could remember most of the lyrics for was ‘My Funny Valentine’. Before the first line was finished, the crowd had become starkly quiet. Before the song was over I got the idea to do this record. Three weeks later, Robert and the very band he sang with that night recorded these eight classic songs in one day. The result is a mesmerizing blend of emotion and musical virtuosity.”

Produced by Mastro, Valentine was recorded direct to 2-track tape at Station House Studio in Echo Park, CA with engineering and mastering by studio owner Mark Rains. Guitarist John Storie, bassist Tim Emmons, drummer Kenny Elliot and sax man Zane Musa (all members of Jeff Goldblum’s band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra) comprise Robert’s backing band on the album. This is the final recorded performance from Musa, who passed away in February a few weeks after the album was finished. Valentine is dedicated to his memory.

The recording was documented by Marc Gabor, who shot and edited this clip of the band working on a stunning version of “Time After Time”, featuring an amazing sax solo from Musa.

Robert Francis is currently back in the studio working on the follow-up to last year’s critically-acclaimed Heaven. The new album should arrive in the first half of 2016 and Robert is expected to tour internationally in support of it.

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