Will Downing
One of the most critically acclaimed vocalists of his generation,
Will Downing has been thrilling audiences internationally with
his powerful baritone for more than a decade.
He's collaborated with artists such as Gerald Albright, Jonathan
Butler, Rachelle Ferrell, Chante Moore, Stevie Wonder, and Zhane,
to name a few. This pre-eminent male singer/composer and producer,
was also one of the early musical alchemists that fused melodic
soul music with demanding jazz grooves that gave birth to what
is now called "smooth jazz."
Growing up as a kid in Brooklyn, New York during the reign of self-contained
bands from his neighborhood like Mandrill, BT Express, Crown Heights
Affair and Brass Construction, Will took his lessons from the street
and school.
As a graduate of Brooklyn's famed performing arts high school, Erasmus
Hall High, he shares a common heritage with the school's other
famous musical alumni such as Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Stephanie
Mills, James "D-Train" Williams and J Records founder, Clive Davis.
From there Will took it to college at Virginia Union University,
and then to the studio.
Will earned a Grammy nomination in 2001 for his Motown album, "All
The Man That You Need." Recently he signed with Verve Records,
and will be releasing an album in early 2002.
