04/06/2026
Our annual Steelpan Festival is happening this Thursday! Phoenix Pan Rising's 2026 Guest Artist is Josanne Francis. Josanne will perform with steelpan ensembles from all over Arizona at 7:30 pm in Hoy Stadium.
Born and raised in Diego Martin on Trinidad’s northwest coast, Josanne Francis has since become one of the most compelling cultural ambassadors for the steelpan. She brings a distinctive blend of technical brilliance, emotional depth, and deep cultural reverence to every performance, using her artistry to illuminate both the history and evolving future of the instrument.
Her performances have taken her to some of the world’s most renowned stages, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the MET Museum, Strathmore Music Center, Times Square, and the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival. She has collaborated with celebrated artists across genres, including Phylicia Rashad, David Rudder, Etienne Charles, Jon Batiste, Negah Santos, Kes, Andy Narell, Liam Teague, and many others. She has appeared with ensembles such as the Michigan Philharmonic and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and recorded on notable projects for Etienne Charles, Victor Provost, Afro Bop Alliance, and The Mawasi Experience.
