David Downing

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Pianist/saxophonist/vocalist David Downing brought his Cocktail Nation sensibility to New York from his native Florida in 1995. Critics have compared his debut CD, Last Night, Last Call, to the likes of Harry Connick, Jr. and Bobby Troup. “Marvelous,” crows the New York Observer’s Rex Reed; “this guy is too good.”

OUT Magazine labels Downing's music “hip . . . rare and satisfying,” with a voice that has “shades of Mel Torme's swinging mixed with Chet Baker's laid-back cool sound.”

Downing’s romantic balladry and snappy style are reminiscent of ‘40s popular music, but have a decidedly ‘90s edge.

Nominated for a GLAMA in 1997, David was featured on the 1998 release Fruit Cocktail, a compilation of loungy tunes by gay and lesbian artists, including Lea DeLaria, Ian Shaw, Judy Barnett, Steven Kowalczyk and Tom Robinson.