Will Downing/Roy Ayers presented by the City of Akron and 3R1 Entertainment Group

Date and Time for this Past Event

Saturday, Feb 25, 2023 7:30pm

Location

Details

Will Downing:

With a career that spans over 32 years and 22 albums, Will Downing is one of the most versatile and loved voices of our time. Known as The Prince of Sophisticated Soul, his repertoire consists of signature interpretations of R&B classics like "I Go Crazy", "Wishing On A Star" and "I Try", with original hits "A Million Ways", "Sorry I" and the show-stopping duet with Rachelle Ferrell, "Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This". His distinctive baritone voice has resonated in the hearts of women world-wide and carved a unique niche in the music marketplace. With fresh melodies and lush arrangements that satisfy all musical palates, Downing continues to serve his fan base through his own Sophisticated Soul record label and sold out tour dates across the country. His latest release entitled "Romantique" Part 1 was released on November 8, 2019. He also hosts his weekly radio show The Wind Down which is aired on this site and over 20 stations around the world in the USA, UK, Japan, and Spain.

Roy Ayers:

By 1961 Roy had become a well-rounded, full-fledged professional musician, and as is customary in nurturing African-American households, at twenty-one the keys to the door. As the adage goes, if you are blessed, when one closes another one opens. Fortunately for Roy, he had just begun to receive his musical blessings, as early in his career, he collaborated and performed with likes of Chico Hamilton, Teddy Edwards, Jack Wilson, Phineas Newborn and Gerald Wilson. Shortly thereafter, Roy made his recording debut with Curtis Amy, a highly regarded saxophonist, with whom he recorded “Way Down” and “Tippin on Through”.

Opening for the show will be Kofi B.