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| Johnette Downing's 'Music Time' New Orleans children's musician Johnette Downing will release her next CD, "Music Time, " on November 15. Now, more than ever, Johnette is committed to keeping her region’s culture alive “from the roots up” through her award-winning music for kids, serving up a “gumbo” of Cajun, Creole, Zydeco and jazz influences. Multi-award-winning New Orleans singer/songwriter and children’s musician Johnette Downing plans a November 15 release for her new studio CD, ‘Music Time’ (Wiggle Worm Records). Much of this material appeared on Johnette’s very first analog cassette in 1992. The 2005 ‘Music Time’ has been completely re-recorded and contains three bonus tracks of new material. Says Johnette, “I sang, played the guitar, performed, recorded, and mastered the CD all over again, just as if it were a new project never before recorded.” Conceived as a celebration of childhood, ‘Music Time’ takes young children through the rhythm of a day, with activity songs about getting dressed, riding bikes, learning to tell time, playing in a rhythm band, wishing for rain, and eating peanut butter sandwiches, all performed with infectious joy by Johnette Downing, about whom the Los Angeles Times declared, “With her signature mix of Dixieland jazz, Cajun, Creole, and zydeco rhythms, Downing creates an irresistible musical jubilee.” Johnette’s stylistic mix for ‘Music Time’ ranges from Southern blues to Caribbean to boogie woogie (with close harmony back-ups), as she calls on her young audience to join in with clapping, singing, call-and-response, and movement. Johnette Downing has won eight national awards for five recordings, including three Parents’ Choice Foundation Awards, two Parents’ Guide to Children’s Media Awards, two National Parenting Publications Awards, and an iParenting Media Award. Her music has received rave reviews on ABC World News Now and in such publications as Booklist, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Nick, Jr., Parenting, The Los Angeles Times, and New Orleans Magazine. Johnette was singled out as one of “Thirty People to Watch in 2000” by New Orleans Magazine and “Forty Under Forty” by Gambit Weekly Magazine. Dubbed “a truly Louisiana experience” and “the Pied Piper for Louisiana music traditions” by the media, and “the Bonnie Raitt of children’s music” by her fans, Johnette Downing brings the spicy flavors of her home state to live performances across the country. Now, more than ever, she is committed to keeping her region’s culture alive “from the roots up” through entertaining and working with kids, serving up a “gumbo” of Cajun, Creole, Zydeco and jazz influences. Urging audiences on with her radiant personality and spoken asides, Johnette has all the engaging charm of a modern day Bob Wills. Her shows are hometown celebrations that the whole country can share. Johnette’s family-friendly music respects the sophistication and intelligence of today’s children while still allowing them to be kids. Says Johnette, “I feel it is an honor and privilege to perform music for children, and I never take it for granted. I always tell people ‘I am seven, ” because I feel I see life with seven-year-old eyes. I enjoy finding the simple complexities in life and acknowledging how children experience life spontaneously. I like giving children a reason to celebrate being children.” write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |