When Will Downing’s self-titled debut (Will Downing) was released in 1988, music aficionados were forced to sit up and take notice of his rich and sensual baritone voice, a voice that is, at turns, as soft as cashmere and as soothing as a waterfall.   It was his voice which captured the ears and hearts and seeped into the consciousness of fans of R&B and smooth jazz around the globe. 

Now, at the age of thirty-nine and releasing his eleventh album Downing’s career is a case study in true artist career development, spanning two decades during which he released Will Downing, Come Together As One, A Dream Fulfilled, Love’s The Place to Be, Moods, Invitation Only, Pleasures of the Night, All the Man You Need, and Sensual Journey.  In the course of his career, Downing has shown a remarkable ability to continually evolve as both a gifted song stylist and talented composer.  His 1992 hit single, “I Try,” not only displayed Downing’s range as a vocalist, but also showcased his innate sense of elegant phrasing and deeply emotional delivery.

Born in Brooklyn, New York Downing, studied music at Erasmus Hall High School and later attended both Virginia Union University and Brooklyn College where he continued to pursue courses in music and composition.  His professional career began as a lead “ghost” vocalist for many 12-inch dance records in the early eighties as part of various groups (Pilot, N.V., Wally Jump Jr.).  Later, Downing launched a successful career as a background singer and worked with a number of notable R&B artists including Billy Ocean, Kashif, Dionne Warwick, and Stephanie Mills, among others.

His critically acclaimed debut, Will Downing, did well Great Britain, and throughout Europe, and eventually reached “Gold” status in the UK turning him into an immediate concert headliner in the UK.  Will was nominated for a Grammy Award, Best R&B Traditional Vocal Album in 2000 for his All The Man You Need album and two NAACP Image Awards in 1993 and 2003 for Outstanding R&B Male Vocalist (A Dream Fulfilled) and Outstanding Jazz Artist (Sensual Journey) respectively.

Will's contribution to "A Father's Love" is the classic song "Lullaby" written by Billy Joel.

Please Visit: http://www.WillDowning.com

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