I'd like to nominate one of my favorite singers, Lila Downs. Here's her biography from Wikipedia. She has roots in both Mexico and the U.S. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lila_Downs
Lila Downs From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search
Lila DownsLila Downs (born 1968 in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico) is a Mexican singer. She performs her own compositions as well as tapping into native Mesoamerican music of the Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya and Nahuatl cultures.
Downs, is the daughter of a Mixtec woman and Allen Downs, a Scottish/English-American[1] professor of art and cinematographer from Minnesota. She grew up partly in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, partly in the U.S. states in California as a teen, and Minnesota as an adult where she graduated from the University of Minnesota in voice and anthropology [2].
She later returned to Mexico where she learned to weave. Later, she began singing in the club scenes of Oaxaca and Philadelphia along with Paul Cohen, an American-born saxophonist. They began collaborating together on songs that would slowly evolve into Downs's subsequent recordings. Cohen went on to become both Downs' husband and artistic director. [3]
In recent years, Downs and her band have toured widely in Mexico, South America, the US and Europe. She was also heard in the soundtrack to the movie Frida in a song, Burn it Blue, that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song and that she performed at the 75th Academy Awards. Other songs that she performed on the soundtrack are "Benediction and Dream," "Estrella Oscura," and "La Llorona." Other movies with a Lila Downs song are "Tortilla Soup" and "Real Women Have Curves". Downs is currently based in Coyoacán, a neighborhood of Mexico City.
[edit] Discography La Cantina (Narada 2006) Una Sangre (one Blood) (Narada 2004) Border (La Linea) (Narada 2001) Tree of Life (Narada 2000) La Sandunga (Narada 1999) Azuláo: En Vivo con Lida Downs (1996) Ofrenda (1994)
[edit] DVD Lotería Cantada (November 2006)
[edit] Footnotes ^ Lila Downs - La Conjugadora. Retrieved on February 17 from google.com ^ Lila Downs: With a song in her soul Retrieved on February 17, 2006 from aztlan.net ^ XISPAS:An interview with Lila Downs Retrieved Sept 18, 2006 from xispas.com
[edit] External links Lila Downs, official website Lila Downs at All Music Guide Lila Downs: beyond the border by Mary Armstrong, Sing Out! vol 45#4 - Winter 2002
Re: Lila Downs « Reply #2 on: April 28, 2007, 08:25:42 PM »
that was a good performance...
she sings really smooth and light in this one...not to mention the rhythm...and I really liked the sound track of Frida...but I couldnt distinguish who sang what...
anyhow, she's got my vote...
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bob1388
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Re: Lila Downs « Reply #3 on: April 28, 2007, 08:34:25 PM »
This video is my favorite though. It's a cumbia about mole, a popular dish from Oaxaca. I visited Oaxaca years ago and enjoyed the cuisine immensely, along with the ruins of Monte Alban, which you can briefly see towards the end of the video. Lila does a good job of blending her culture with jazz, pop culture, etc. She is truely talented, both in her singing talents and ability to compose original works.
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bob1388
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Re: Lila Downs « Reply #4 on: April 28, 2007, 08:43:57 PM »
Lila Downs sang this tango, from Frida. She displayed a very powerful and dynamic voice in the movie Frida.
« Last Edit: April 28, 2007, 08:57:54 PM by The Watchman »
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bob1388
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Re: Lila Downs « Reply #5 on: April 28, 2007, 08:50:52 PM »
Here's the art of Frida Kahlo, set to the song "Paloma Negra" sung by Lila Downs.
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bob1388
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Re: Lila Downs « Reply #6 on: May 01, 2007, 05:53:47 PM »
Lila Downs sings "La Llorana" in concert. She has quite a voice. Enjoy!
Re: Lila Downs « Reply #7 on: May 10, 2009, 10:46:19 AM »
Hey Bob, I know you posted this some time ago...but I thought I'd let you know that Lil Downs was in San Antonio, Tx for the Women's Day March...she was a guest of the Esperanza Center...I wasn't able to attend due to prior engagements, but I wish I could have...she is truly a remarkable singer...
thanks for bringing her to attention, often many gifted artist are overlooked...
ALIPAC - American-Latino Immigrants Proudly Assisting the Community
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that was a good performance...
