Do What I Wanna Do, See Who I Wanna See…yes, we all know this tune. Earth Is The Place. And be prepared for this ditty to re-appear this year since there’s a great, fresh new version on Verna Francis’ debut album Down To Earth. Meanwhile learn more about Verna in her interview with jazz-not-jazz.
Q: Your album Down To Earth has a great funky sound with horns. Please tell me where you’re coming from musically and who has influenced you and
your style of singing?
Verna Francis: My influences are varied. My parents are Jamaican and as a child I used to hear reggae music at home along with classic soul like Percy Sledge, Marvin Gaye. In the 70s it was the Jackson 5, Shalamar, The Commodores, Earth Wind & Fire and disco music. In the 80s I wanted to BE Whitney Houston! My favourite singers include Luther Vandross, Anita Baker and more recently Lauryn Hill, India.Arie, Gill Scott, Alicia Keys, Usher, John Legend.
Q: You also appeared in various stage plays and musicals. What do you like about the theatre?
Verna Francis: I like theatre because it’s live and anything can happen depending on the audience and sometimes you might have to improvise on the spot in order to cover up a mistake. It is nice to play another character and have the chance to behave in ways you probably might not in person. “Baddies” are the best characters to play, although sometimes people can’t divorce the actor from the character and they sometimes think you are like the character you are playing.
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