Singer Will Downing Drops Gift for All Occasions with Fine Photography Book ‘Still Sounds’

*When it comes to those who are artistically gifted, there is little surprise when their fascinations prove multi-faceted. Such is the case with jazzy soul vocalist Will Downing, a man who is two years away from the 40th anniversary of his self-titled debut album. Also known as “The Prince of Sophisticated Soul,” Downing introduced another […] The post Singer Will Downing Drops Gift for All Occasions with Fine Photography Book ‘Still Sounds’ appeared first on EURweb | Black News, Culture, Entertainment & More.

Apr 18, 2026 - 17:41

Singer Will Downing Drops Gift for All Occasions with Fine Photography Book ‘Still Sounds’

Will Downing - Still Sounds — Will Downing – Still Sounds

*When it comes to those who are artistically gifted, there is little surprise when their fascinations prove multi-faceted. Such is the case with jazzy soul vocalist Will Downing, a man who is two years away from the 40th anniversary of his self-titled debut album.

Also known as “The Prince of Sophisticated Soul,” Downing introduced another of his natural newfound talents for photography via his debut coffee table book, Unveiled Series I, Photography of Will Downing and Fine Art by New and Emerging African American Artists (2005), a collaboration with seven other fine artists.

This year, Will Downing brings together his ever-sharpening eye with a birds-eye view of many of the artist friends he has shared stages and studios with since the early `90s. Poetically titled Still Sounds, it is both an intimate emotional read married to photographs only he could capture thanks to his proximity to the people as a peer.

Still Sounds is like the Lays Potato Chips of visual books: once you see the first entry, you cannot stop at just one. If you are like me, you gaze at Freda Payne on the front cover, open, keep reading and staring and turning until – suddenly – you have arrived at the back cover of Frankie Beverly.

Downing shares from his heart about each person, the manner in which he captured them on film, and how they impacted him as artists and human beings. In single and sometimes double shots, Downing gives you truly up close and personal portraits of newbies and legends alike. Anthony Hamilton in the middle of a sensual dance. Lalah Hathaway deep inside a melody. Malcolm Jamal Warner enthralled within a poem. Toni Braxton shimmying up a quiet storm. Al Jarreau having a Charlie Brown moment. Saxophonist Mike Phillips straight stymieing himself mid-solo. Jonathan Butler strumming his guitar by a tree with a backdrop of ivy. Avery Sunshine in a primal scream. Maxwell being cool AF.

Lovers of Soul and Jazz will devour this book like double fudge cake to see their favorite music makers in such stunning, unposed “for-real-ness” (cue Roy Ayers).

Back in 2015, this writer had the honor of writing the forward for a book very much like Downing’s titled Invitation to Openness: The Jazz & Soul Photography of Les McCann 1960-1980. With Still Sounds, Will Downing fans the fire – from the `90s to the present – through a love lens and a heart light.