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Will Downing Sings 'Soul Symphony'
For true romance, Will Downing is a staple. His music is the soundtrack for the art of seduction. The proof is in the fact
that he is on his 12th album and still a staple in the stack dedicated to the boudoir movement! So here he comes, uh, here
once again he delivers that soulful brand of savory songs with "Soul Symphony." Slide on "Put Me On,"
the debut single, and listen for a collective sexy sigh from female listeners.
Downing produced this latest set with a little bit of help from a variety of friends that include Rex Rideout, Brian McKnight,
Chuck Loeb and Marc Nelson, among others. The silky soul singer and smooth jazz favorite has been out on the road seducing
the ladies and promoting his new album. Starpoynt caught him sitting down for a second...
Star - This is your 12th album. What inspires you to keep the music coming?
WD - The mortgage payment. That's always inspiring. (laughing) No. it's the love of what I'm doing. I have people from
a label perspective that believe in me and that certainly helps me. Then of course there is a core of listeners that like
what I do and that is probably the most inspiring of all.
Star - Any favorite tracks?
WD - Two. "Make Time For Love" - it just came out, like when you perform you hear things in your mind that you
want to play, and this just came out like I envisioned it. I love the lyrics and the feel of the song. I'm a perfectionist
and so for this to come out like this, it was great. It's hard to always accomplish an excellent performance, and when people
hear this song, they get it. Another one is "Heart Of Mine" - it's a song that I wrote for my wife and it goes into
our
relationship and what I love about her. I think everyone has a song like that that talks about their relationship and talks
about the little things that make their mate special.
Star - What do you think is your target demo?
WD - I would say 25 and older, majority women.
Star - Will, you have been at it for some 20 years now... and on major labels for the most part. What do you think has
been the key to your longevity?
WD - I think I found what I do well at an early age and have never strayed from it. I know my my forte is ballads and
mid tempo songs and I never strayed from the trend and have always did what was in my heart.
Star - It's interesting about you, that although you are probably most popular on smooth jazz, you are not an instrumentalist.
Do you play an instrument? How did you find yourself in this genre?
WD - No. I think they just kind of found me. I have always featured live instrumentalists in my music, though, so it evolved
in that direction.
Star - What happened to you as a youngster? Did you participate in music in school or church? Was there something that
happened that one day you just said, "I want to be a singer"?
WD - Like most folk, I studied in school and sang and played an instrument. While in school, people started telling me
I
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It's hard to get air play now days. I get a lot of quiet storm play, so if you don't listen late at night, you don't know
I have an album out. People are not as adventurous any more. Our music is not selling as well as hip hop, so the stores are
not making room for us as much anymore.
had something special in my voice. I ended up in a performing arts high school and started meeting people in the business.
I stated singing in clubs and singing in sessions. I highly suggest someone trying to break in to the business go that route,
because you can learn what to do and not to do.
Star - Talk about the next generation of jazz artists and singers? Well, actually the question may be... where the heck
are they? Are you concerned there is not that much of a young set behind you?
WD - There is a young set, but there is not an outlet. There are a lot of talented folk out there to maintain the genre,
but there's no one really developing it. There is good music out there. It's hard to get asir play these days. I get
a lot of quiet storm play, so if you don't listen late at night, you don't know I have an album out. People are not as adventurous
any more. Our music is not selling as well as hip hop, so the stores are not making room for us as much anymore.
Star - You have worked with a lot of big names, from Anita Baker in your early days to George Duke, Regina Belle, Rachelle
Ferrell and Chante Moore in more recent years. Looking back, who has been one of your favorite people to work with?
WD - They're all my favorites. I have something special to say about each one of them or I wouldn't have done it. I can
tell you stories... like when I worked with Stevie Wonder, he came to the session late. He was on his way to the airport
to go to Africa and he kept calling saying he was on his way. This went on for six hours. When he came in, he did two takes
and that was it... his part was 15-20 seconds, but it was totally awesome!
Star - Who's in your CD player? Who are you listening to these days?
WD - Dwele. Stevie. Earth, Wind & Fire. Love the song with Rafael Sidiq. Kindred.
Thanks Will! "Soul Symphony" is in stores now!
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