Resilient is one word you could use to describe jazz vocalist Will Downing who has been putting up a courageous fight against the disease polymyositis. Will was determined not to let the disease delay the work on the his current album After Tonight. He completed After Tonight, recording at times from a hospital bed or a wheelchair. Thanks to hard work, faith and family, Downing is now able to get up and walk on his own with the aid of a walker. With the success of his latest album it was definitely worth the trouble. Downing will be appearing at a series of speaking engagements and listening parties in various cities to further promote his new album. He will also discuss his career as well as his health challenges. These events will mark his first public appearances since being diagnosed with polymyositis at the end of 2006.

Downing will make stops in cities like Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Atlanta. The venues for each event will be carefully selected, and the organizers promises that it will be upscale and intimate. Prominent local media personality will host each event and will engage the veteran singer in a one-on-one interview before an audience.

Downing who still suffering from the effects of the crippling muscle condition, will not perform. Instead, this resilient artist dubbed “king of sensuality” will field questions directly from fans, sign autographs, and pose for photos.

Over the recent months Downing’s fans have been eagerly awaiting his come-back, as it has been well publicized that he has made great strides in his battle with polymyositis.

Upcoming dates for An Evening With Will Downing are as follows:
April 22 - Chicago, IL — DuSable Museum
April 24 — Detroit, MI - Sweet Georgia Browns
April 29 - Washington, DC — Station 9
May 1 — Baltimore, MD - Reginald Lewis African American Museum
May 7 — Atlanta, GA — (location — tba)