Will Downing Says Returning To The Stage Was 'emotional'

Singer Will Downing has returned to the stage after a year and a half of battling the degenerative muscle disease polymyositis, which led to months of hospitalization and rehabilitation. Last month, Downing visited five cities on a meet-and-greet promotional tour, and last weekend the popular vocalist performed for the first time in nearly two years in Berkeley, California, with an all-star lineup.

Downing described the experience: "Actually the first show back was this past weekend. We did a jazz festival and it was great. Yeah, in the Oakland-Berkeley area. And it was me and Kenny G, Najee, Maysa, Brian Culbertson, and Sheila E and the Escovedo Family. So it was a moving day, it was a touching day, it was good to be back to work. And, you know, gradually we're gonna do more."

Downing will perform again this Saturday (July 26th) with the same lineup as part of the L.A. Jazz Explosion at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.

The singer logged a Number One R&B album with his latest released After Tonight. His current single is "Fantasy (Spending Time With You)."

By: Janine Coveney

Find more Will Downing CDs at amazon.com
Best selling smooth jazz at amazon.com
Jazz from Amazon.com