Frances Rahaim, Vocalist
With her sophisticated, sultry voice, engaging smile and unique stage presence, Frances draws her audience in – connecting. Each performance is a memorable, intimate experience.
In 2018 she helped form the vocal group Ask Me Now, as a conduit for performing much loved favorites from greats like Fats Waller, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Bessie Smith, Cole Porter, and Stevie Wonder.
Frances currently resides in Montague, MA., and began performing Country music at age 12 and was well known in locally as a vocalist/guitarist in the duo Soft Touch, The Hall Brothers and other local bands.
Today, she performs a wide variety of music from well-known jazz standards and blues to Brazilian, Latin, and contemporary tunes she’s labeled as “sophisti-pop,” and has performed with a broad range of musical groups from Joe Velez’ 17 piece La Creacion Latin Big Band to quartets or quintets like Never Been to Spain, and on occasion the hard bop jazz group, The Secondary Messengers.
Influences include Diana Krall, Julie London, Sheryl Crow, Blossom Dearie, Connie Evingson, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nnenna Freelon, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, Eva Cassidy, Buena Vista Social Club, Patrizia Laquidara, Horace Silver, Dave Frishberg and other vocalists or instrumentalists who turn a phrase or deliver a tune with a special connection to the music. When it comes to singing the blues, Frances thanks her supportive friend Suzie Vinnick, a Canadian three-time Juno nominee, for encouraging her to explore and share her bluesy, gospel style.
Some local venue performances include The Delaney House, The Mick Lounge, Terrazza’s Restaurant, The Farm Table, Hawks and Reed Performing Arts, Gateway Performing Arts Center, Patrick’s, The Collegian Court, Luthiers, The Student Prince, and Uno’s Chicago Grill, and more. She especially enjoys intimate venues and private parties where she and her band can closely connect with the guest audience.
Frances credits and appreciates the fine musicians she works with for the breadth and depth of music they perform. She thrives on collaborating to produce fresh stylings and interesting musical arrangements and has a passion for unearthing interesting, sometimes lesser-known gems destined to become new audience favorites.
Above all, she’s grateful to the agents, venue owners and managers who book the bands, and the loyal music lovers who come to listen and dance.
Early life
Music was a central theme in the Rahaim home. Her parents Annie, a pianist and singer, and her father George, a jazzer at heart, exposed her to live music performances at every opportunity.
Sometimes the live music came to their home! The Boston based Jones Brothers Trio, Herbie, Clyde and Max, were friends of the family and often arrived with vibes, trumpet, and drums for fun jam sessions.
In 1963, Herbie joined Duke Ellington’s band playing first trumpet when required and had the rare opportunity to sit between Duke and Billy Strayhorn while they composed, then transcribe the charts for the band.
When Herbie left the band to return to his family, the trio’s visits to the Rahaim household resumed. Frances loved the gentleman and their “cool cat” style, hep vernacular and swingin’ sounds and lyrics! Perhaps this is where her affinity for early swing and true appreciation for talented musicians stems from.
Business
Professionally, Frances Rahaim, Ph.D., also known as The Money Doctor, is the creator and president of HUG Your Money, Inc.TM, a financial coaching company, with patented software, focused on teaching strong money-management skills through debt management, budgeting and retirement planning teamwork. Her live and recorded financial shows may be found on more than 25 terrestrial radio and TV stations and over 150 digital stations and podcasts.
Frances also hosts the GCTV show “basslines” which spotlights professional bassist, Don Baldini’s career with entertaining stories and anecdotes as well as other superbly talented artists in rare, candid interviews.
For bookings call Frances at 413-885-8888
askmenow.live 