"with a voice so vari-colored and many octaved that its difficult to imagine it as the product of a single larynx" NY Times
Downs captures some of Mexicos many voices she was captivating in every sense. Blessed with a pliable voice and an exceptional range, she invested her songs with an artful array of soundsThe heavens dont get any closer than this.
Los Angeles Times
Every so often a voice emerges whose distinctive color, texture, and passionate conception defy easy characterization. LILA DOWNS gained international attention for her musical role in the award-winning 2002 film Frida, starring Selma Hayek as Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Her song Burn It Blue, from the film was nominated for Grammy and Academy Awards. In 2005 Lila was awarded a Latin Grammy for her album Una Sangre (One Blood). The Mexican-Mixtec-American singers exotic beauty and startlingly versatile voice evoke the pulsing, vibrant rhythms of her home countrys rich musical legacy. Many of Downs songs carry contemporary messages that promote respect for human rights and dignity bringing a new social awareness to her rich repertoire of original and native Mesoamerican songs. She effortlessly blends indigenous Mixtec traditions with all manner of styles including cabaret, ranchera and spoken word augmented by multi-media presentations. Lila's performances have captivated audiences around the globe. Globalquerque! 08 is thrilled to present Lila Downs and her band at this year's festival on Friday September 19th. Globalquerque! New Mexico's 4th Annual Celebration of World Music & Culture takes place September 19 & 20 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, our presenting partner, in Albuquerque, NM
Lila joins Globalquerque! 08 previously confirmed acts:
- GENTICORUM (Quebec, Canada)
- HAPA (Hawai'i)
- MOR KARBASI (Israel)
- ORCHID ENSEMBLE (China/Canada)
- SAVINA YANNATOU (Greece)
...with more acts being added all the time!
For up-to-date info on performers, The Global Village of Craft Culture & Cuisine, our free community day programming and more please visit our newly re-vamped site at www.globalquerque.com