News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

WILL DOWNING


BIO:
Women love Will Downing. And men love the women who love Will Downing. In his two decade recording career, the Brooklyn native has carved for himself a solid career as one of the leading purveyors of unapologetic, unabashed romantic music. And while this has not translated to crossover success – or even to broad urban radio success – it has gained for Downing a solid musical legacy and a rabidly loyal following of, well…women. Downing had his first national exposure as a popular backing vocalist in the 80s before signing with Island Records. He recorded two modestly successful albums and had a minor hit with a cover of “A Love Supreme” before releasing his breakout 1991 album A Dream Fulfilled. It was a marvelous disc that showed Downing not only possessed a fine baritone voice but that he was also was an excellent song stylist, deftly handling such diverse songs as War’s “The World Is A Ghetto” and Paul Davis’s “I Go Crazy” and providing a stunning, definitive version of Angela Bofill’s “I Try.” Both the “I Try” single and the album hit the Urban top 25, and critical acclaim for the disc abounded. A Dream Fulfilled began a period where Downing found his musical identity and was the first of a string of successful albums that focused on smooth, romantic music, mostly ballads. Sometimes unfairly lumped with his friend Luther Vandross, Downing was actually creating his own brand of love music that was less urban and much jazzier. And though Downing’s songs were also more sensual than Vandross’s, he shared Luther’s sensibilities, singing to women on a truly romantic level that clearly went beyond the physical. In the 90s and early 00s, Downing recorded frequently on multiple record labels. He became a regular at the top of the contemporary jazz charts and released a number of solid albums (perhaps the best of which was his album of duets with saxophonist Gerald Albright, Pleasures of the Night) with only one miscue (All the Man You Need, his lone album on Motown and an ill-advised attempt at an “urban” sound). In early 2007, Will contracted a rare muscular disease, Polymyositis, which sidelined him for most of the year. It was a devastating attack, forcing Downing into a wheelchair for most of the year, and causing him to lose nearly 100 pounds. Despite the setback, he was determined to complete his debut album for Peak Records, After Tonight, for which he had recorded four songs prior to his illness. During the Spring of 2007, Will worked from his home putting down vocals despite severe weakness and fatigue. He would say it was “the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” occasionally moving from chair to bed to complete a vocal piece. But out of this situation came another five wonderful songs, including the album’s gem, “God Is So Amazing,” a simple, melodic testimony of faith during difficult times. After Tonight became another fine addition to Downing’s growing discography, and “God Is So Amazing” stood as one of the year’s best songs. In 2009, fully recovered, Downing began work on Classique, a new album of originals and three cover songs, with producer Rex Rideout at the helm. The disc was released in June 2009 to positive reviews. And in 2010, he issued one of his most ambitious projects, an “audio novel” called Lust, Love and Lies, that detailed a relationship going through various stages, with spoken interludes between a very strong batch of songs. It was released to enthusiastic reviews. Looking back over the last two decades, Will Downing has established himself as one of the most consistent, soulful singers of his era and arguably, with the unfortunate death of Luther Vandross, as today’s leading provider of romantic, soulful music.

Latest Articles


House Music Legends Ten City Tap DRAMA for 'Love Is Love' Remix Photo House Music Legends Ten City Tap DRAMA for 'Love Is Love' Remix
by Michael Major - December 09, 2022

The iconic vinyl single has long been fetishised by DJs and perfect for the fast paced, sometimes throwaway culture of electronic music. But among this world are the game-changers; the visionary artists who buck trends and determine new directions and ideas for generations to come, Ten City—who is B...

Brian Jackson Announces First Solo Album in 20 Years Photo Brian Jackson Announces First Solo Album in 20 Years
by Michael Major - February 07, 2022

Announcing his forthcoming studio album, 'This Is Brian Jackson', which is to be released on BBE Music in May 2022, Brian Jackson offers up the LP's lead single 'All Talk', presented with a brace of remixes by OPOLOPO. Listen to the album's lead single 'All Talk' now!...

Singer-Songwriter Kimberly Brewer Releases New Single Featuring Maysa Photo Singer-Songwriter Kimberly Brewer Releases New Single Featuring Maysa
by Team BWW - February 05, 2022

Kimberly Brewer is a singer, songwriter and author, best known for her collaborations and featured work as a vocalist with Stevie Wonder. She recently released a song entitled, “No More Pain,” featuring vocalist Maysa Leak, known to her fans as Maysa. “No More Pain,” is best described as smooth, sou...

Will Downing Releases the Second of Two EP Tributes Photo Will Downing Releases the Second of Two EP Tributes
by Kaitlin Milligan - April 08, 2020

Will Downing, is releasing Romantique Part 2, the second of two truly unique EPs celebrating the rich-velvet tones that came before him and set the template for his current three-plus decades run of producing the absolute finest in Sophisticated Soul. ...

Will Downing Releases the First of Two EP Tributes Photo Will Downing Releases the First of Two EP Tributes
by Sarah Jae Leiber - October 22, 2019

The tribute album is certainly not a new concept, as artists have raised their voices in celebration of iconic musicians and songwriters in all sorts of creative ways over the years. So conventional wisdom would suggest, there's no new way to approach this concept? Well what if you celebrated a 'sou...

Gloria Gaynor, Lee Ann Womack to Perform at City Winery Chicago Photo Gloria Gaynor, Lee Ann Womack to Perform at City Winery Chicago
by Kaitlin Milligan - March 26, 2019

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces Grammy-winning country star Lee Ann Womack, legendary disco queen Gloria Gaynor, Grammy Award-winning producer and vocalist Steve Tyrell and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, March 28 at noon. All tickets will be a...

City Winery Chicago Announces Megan Mullally's Band, Eric Roberson, and More Photo City Winery Chicago Announces Megan Mullally's Band, Eric Roberson, and More
by Kaitlin Milligan - January 15, 2019

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces the return of Grammy-nominated independent R&B artist Eric Roberson and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, January 17 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago....

City Winery Chicago Presents Cyrille Aimée, Willie Nile and More Photo City Winery Chicago Presents Cyrille Aimée, Willie Nile and More
by Kaitlin Milligan - January 02, 2019

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces the return of Cyrille Aimée, Willie Nile and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Friday, January 4 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago....

Audible and NJPAC Present 'Jazz in the Key of Ellison' February 2019 Performances Photo Audible and NJPAC Present 'Jazz in the Key of Ellison' February 2019 Performances
by Kaitlin Milligan - December 13, 2018

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and Audible today announce the first three national performance dates of “Jazz in the Key of Ellison,” celebrating the musical world of the esteemed African-American novelist, critic and scholar Ralph Ellison and his remarkable collection of jazz recordi...

Maurissa Rose Announces Live Tribute to Phyllis Hyman Photo Maurissa Rose Announces Live Tribute to Phyllis Hyman
by Kaitlin Milligan - November 08, 2018

The beloved R&B songstress, MAURISSA ROSE, has announced her live musical tribute to the beautiful, late jazz singer, PHYLLIS HYMAN....

City Winery Chicago Announces Special Holiday Show with AMERICAN IDOL Winner Kris All Photo City Winery Chicago Announces Special Holiday Show with AMERICAN IDOL Winner Kris Allen
by Kaitlin Milligan - September 18, 2018

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces a special holiday show with “American Idol” winner Kris Allen and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, September 20 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago....

Detroit's Chene Park Amphitheatre Summer Concert Season Running Now through Labor Day Photo Detroit's Chene Park Amphitheatre Summer Concert Season Running Now through Labor Day Weekend
by Macon Prickett - May 29, 2018

Chene Park Amphitheatre, Detroit's premiere summer concert venue located along the Detroit River, fires up its summer season May 27, and runs through Labor Day weekend. The venue's summer concert season includes more than 25 shows featuring a diverse range of Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Latin and 80s acts. ...

Chene Park's Summer Concert Season Kicks Off May 27 Photo Chene Park's Summer Concert Season Kicks Off May 27
by Robert Diamond - May 25, 2018

Chene Park Amphitheatre, Detroit's premiere summer concert venue located along the Detroit River, fires up its summer season May 27, and runs through Labor Day weekend. The venue's summer concert season includes more than 25 shows featuring a diverse range of Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Latin and 80s ac...












Videos

Recommended For You