Will Downing & Jeffrey Osborne

Just one note... and you instantly know "That Voice". A voice that melts like warm chocolate syrup over his growing legion of adoring female fans, who will tell you that "no one sounds like Will Downing". Uniquely gifted with an unmatched arsenal of velvet lows and silky falsetto highs, few can challenge the growing belief that this versatile crooner is the rightful heir to the Smooth R&B throne. Blurring the line between jazz and classic soul in a musical era that often pushes style over substance, Will Downing has amassed a timeless body of work that has never forced his listeners to make that compromise. The consistent choice of classy style over flashy trends, have fueled the success of a 12 album-two decade long career, with millions of albums sold in countries all over the world. Most of today's performers would be fortunate to accomplish a track record only half as long. As one of the lone surviving mature male vocalists in a youth driven market, this Brooklyn native emerges at the top of his game and continues to expand his fan base with each new musical chapter. Recognized by the Grammy's and the NAACP Image Awards for his excellence on the stage and in the studio, Will Downing is starting to become equally well known for his talents outside of that realm. Unbeknownst to many of his listeners, Will Downing is a noted and equally skilled photographer. His subjects of choice are his musical contemporaries whom he captures live on-stage or in candid moments behind the curtain. A self-published coffee table book entitled Unveiled was released in late 2005 and features Downing's shutterbug alter ego. Will Downing also gives back to the community through his role as a spokesperson for the American Stroke Association, which has become even more important to him in the wake of prominent victims such as Vandross, Ron Isley and Coretta Scott King. Whenever possible as he tours, Downing conducts a charity bowling event called "Strike Against Stroke", to raise funds towards greater stroke awareness and education in the African American community, which is disproportionately affected. When he's off the road, Will Downing retreats to his family in a quiet New Jersey township. It would appear he is poised to make a much bigger musical noise everywhere else and start to command the respect and recognition he so richly deserves.

<p><b>Jeffrey Osborne began his professional singing career in 1969 with a popular funk and soul group called Love Men Ltd. The band moved to Los Angeles in 1970 and changed its name to L.T.D. Osborne was originally brought on as the drummer and eventually became the lead vocalist. After more than ten years with the band, he decided to pursue a solo career, which produced such Top 40 hits as "Don't You Get So Mad," "Stay With Me Tonight," and "Love Power," which he performed with Dionne Warwick.</b></p><p><b><br></b></p><p><b>Born in Providence, RI, Jeffrey Osborne was the youngest of 12 children and was constantly bombarded with music as he was growing up. He had five brothers and six sisters, some of whom went on to have music careers. His father, Clarence "Legs" Osborne, was a popular trumpeter who played with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, and died when Jeffrey was only 13. His mother, Wanita, is ancestored by a Pequot Indian sachem. His oldest brother, Clay Osborne, is a singer and pianist, and Billy, another brother, is a songwriter and producer in Los Angeles. But Osborne's father had the greatest influence on his musical career; Clarence "Legs" Osborne turned down many top band offers during his career to be with his family. It was only after receiving his mother's encouragement that Jeffrey left for Los Angeles to play with L.T.D. At the age of 15, he sat in with the O'Jays when the drummer was too tired to play, and went on to play with them for two weeks. It was at a Providence nightclub that fate brought him together with the band Love Men Ltd. in 1969.</b></p><p><b><br></b></p><p><b>Osborne's solo career has brought him five gold and platinum albums, including Stay With Me Tonight and Only Human. He also recorded an album of duets with popular singer James Ingram, and scored an international hit with "On the Wings of Love" in 1982. Osborne's touring and recording continue to keep him busy much of the time, but he also devotes some of his time to charity work. </b></p><p><b><br></b></p><p><b>~ Kim Summers, All Music Guide </b></p>