Album Notes

Notes
"Dear Diary ~ Journal of a Psalmist" is the freshman project for this recording artist. The project includes something for everyone! It's a mix of calypso, jazz, a cappella ( a la Take Six), ballads, and hymns. These are predominantly original works by the artist and her unique treatments of hymns. What started as an homage to a dying best friend has been realized in this musical offering.
"Dear Diary" encourages the listener to bare all to the Lord as one would in a diary, so that He can help us work through all our issues and make us better people!

Biography of Francese S. N. Brooks

Born in Pleasantville, San Fernando, Trinidad, Francese matriculated at Catholic schools under the British system of education. Music was a part of the curriculum throughout her schooling. This foundation enabled her to compose her first song; “(a calypso) at age 10, and win a competition that garnered her mention in the local paper and began her reputation as a ‘melodious songbird’.

She sang her first solo at age 4 at Revival Time Assembly: The Peoples’ Church, where her family regularly worshipped. Music permeated her life as her parents and siblings are all musical. As a teenager, a choir director/ mentor noticed Francese’s musical talents and provided a scholarship for her to study privately with the renowned Lorna Mae Myers. “I got the spirit of music in church and the rudiments of music in school,” says Francese.

Attending the University of Maryland Baltimore County to read for her Masters in Inter-Cultural Communication brought Frances to the US where she quickly found musical outlets for her gifts. She toured the US and Europe singing with the UMBC Camerata and the Morgan State University Choirs. She had earned her Bachelors in Spanish and Linguistics at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad. However, music continued to be a dominant force as she performed throughout her educational pursuits. She began writing music over a decade ago and has as many as 73 songs copyrighted. Several groups have performed her songs including “The Sounds of Symmetry”, “The Voices of Triumph,” and the “Holy Comforter Saint Cyprian Gospel Choir”. There are plans in the works for a song book.

A patently Caribbean woman, by her own admission, Francese embodies all of the excitement, exuberance and dazzling colors one would associate with the sunny skies and crystal beaches in the Caribbean, and this informs her music. “I’m not daunted by the thought of newness, or change. That is distinctly Caribbean, I think.” Accordingly, Francese performs a cross-section of genres with Caribbean rhythms, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues and of course Classical influences. She has a particular fondness for hymns. Her multi-cultural upbringing and exposure give her a unique delivery and phrasing that are both unusual and exciting for the listener. The Lord uses her to touch people’s spirit when she sings.

Education is also an important part of her life. “It gives you keys to a better life,” she says. Her mother, a retired school teacher, helped instill a passion for learning and scholarship. Francese too is an educator; a Spanish teacher to Early Childhood students in the DC public charter school system. She is currently in the Certificate of Ministry Program at Calvary Bible Institute. Her new found passion is acquiring a fourth language; American Sign Language, and being a part of the Deaf Ministry at Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church.
She resides in the Washington, DC area where she has long been showcased as a soloist. She has performed with The Sounds of Symmetry, The Holy Comforter Saint Cyprian Gospel Choir, Patrick Lundy and The Ministers of Music, Friends in Music Ministry and The Heritage Signature Chorale.

Francese continues to enjoy her walk with the Lord and gives Him all the glory for entrusting her with His music. Her earnest desire is to be a good steward of His gifts and bless His name while edifying His people.