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Lara Downes

A Billie Holiday Songbook

Steinway Records

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Lara Downes: from A Billie Holiday Songbook - I'll Be Seeing You
Music To Be Thankful For: Lara Downes

Audios

America this Week: Westwood One review
Interview with KQAC's John Pitman
1 Yesterdays
2 God Bless the Child
3 Blue Moon
4 Willow Weep for Me
5 Don't Explain
6 Body and Soul
7 I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You
8 I Wished on the Moon
9 Them There Eyes
10 Billie's Blues
11 Good Morning Heartache
12 The End of a Love Affair
13 What a Little Moonlight Can Do
14 Ain't Nobody's Business
15 Strange Fruit
16 I'll Be Seeing You
17 Lover Man
18 I'm a Fool to Want You
19 I'll Be Around
20 I Cover the Waterfront
21 (In My) Solitude
22 But Beautiful
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In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Billie Holiday's birth, Lara Downes releases: A Billie Holiday Songbook on Steinway & Sons Records, A personal tribute to this sensitive, timeless icon of American music.Radiant. Intimate.

Lara Downes grew up listening to Holiday's recordings with her father, born and raised in Harlem. Trained in the conservatories of San Francisco, Paris, Vienna and New York, Downes acknowledges that Holiday's singing has been a lifelong influence. "As a musician, I learned from Billie Holiday to make something completely personal when you make music," she says. "something that is completely your own - maybe something unexpected, something indefinable, perhaps complicated, but beautiful. To take a chance. As the song says: "But beautiful to take a chance, and if you fall, you fall. And I'm thinking I wouldn't mind at all."

  • Lara Downes takes on pioneering role with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Lee Bailey's eurweb
    Posted At: August 7, 2024 12:00 AM
    Lee Bailey - eurweb's Fisher Jack writes…..*The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) and its Music Director Jaime Martín are excited to announce a groundbreaking addition to their team—a first-ever Creative Partner, Lara Downes. In this unique role, Downes brings her life’s rich tapestry of musical talent and cultural insights to an artistic partnership with the orchestra, beginning on July 1, 2024.Downes’ ...
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  • 100 years after it's premier, Lara Downes reimagines Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' / New York Amsterdam News
    Posted At: February 15, 2024 12:00 AM
    New York Amsterdam News - Ronald E. Scott writes…..This month’s centennials include Max Roach, James Baldwin and the pianist and composer George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” that premiered in New York City’s Aeolian Hall, in February 1924.Gershwin proclaimed “Rhapsody,” “a sort of musical kaleidoscope of America—of our vast melting pot.” The composer relied on familiar harmonies, melodies, and the colorful...
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  • DC's 88.5WAMU chats with Lara Downes about new album that presents composers from around the world
    Posted At: April 20, 2023 12:00 AM
    Honored as 2022 Classical Woman of the Year by Performance Today, American pianist Lara Downes has been called “a musical ray of hope” by NBC News and “an explorer whose imagination is fired by bringing notice to the underrepresented and forgotten” (The Log Journal). An iconoclast and trailblazer, her dynamic work as a sought-after soloist, a Billboard Chart-topping recording artist, a producer, curator, ar...
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  • Lara Downes' season 3 of 'Amplify' launches with a theme of renaissance / NPR
    Posted At: February 2, 2023 12:00 AM
    NPR WRITES…..A century ago, some of America's greatest artists and writers found strength in a community that became known as the Harlem Renaissance — a confluence of now-familiar names including Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and Aaron Douglas. Today pianist Lara Downes, host of NPR's interview series Amplify, which has just launched its third season, wonders: Are we currently in ...
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  • YourClassical - Performance Today selects Lara Downes as 2022 'Classical Woman of the Year'
    Posted At: March 29, 2022 12:00 AM
    YourClassical writes….Performance Today has selected acclaimed pianist, producer, curator, storyteller, cultural visionary and arts advocate Lara Downes as the 2022 Classical Woman of the Year. This annual award recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the classical music art form and have inspired our listeners.With her wide-ranging talent, and her open spirit of musical connection and c...
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  • Evening Music with Lara Downes set to premiere on KDFC: San Francisco
    Posted At: February 24, 2021 12:00 AM

    Beginning Monday, March 8 at 8 pm PT, Lara Downes will host "Evening Music with Lara Downes," a nightly program featuring classical music spanning centuries and styles, specially chosen and explored to reveal unique insights and context. Additionally, as the station's first-ever Resident Artist, Lara will curate and create new digital content that will engage the California community and give KDFC listen...
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  • Lara Downes launches 'Rising Sun Music' celebrating black composers / BroadwayWorld
    Posted At: January 26, 2021 12:00 AM

    Inspired by her own mixed-race heritage and career-long engagement with diverse musical traditions, pianist Lara Downes creates and curates a new digital recording venture, Rising Sun Music, that sheds a bright light on the music and stories of Black composers over the past 200 years. Featuring a wide range of leading instrumentalists and vocalists (including Ms. Downes) whose work defines the creative e...
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  • NPR Music premieres; 'AMPLIFY With Lara Downes'
    Posted At: October 17, 2020 12:00 AM

    NPR Music and Lara Downes announce the launch of AMPLIFY With Lara Downes, a new bi-weekly series of intimate and deeply personal video conversations with visionary Black musicians who are shaping the present and future of the art form, premiering Saturday, October 17 on NPRMusic.org, YouTube, and social media platforms. Created and hosted by pianist and artist Lara Downes, and co-produced by NPR Mus...
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  • Lara Downes creates refreshingly imaginative video to encourage voting / The Rehearsal Studio
    Posted At: September 24, 2020 12:00 AM

    This past Tuesday was Voter Registration Day, singled out by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to recognize the need to "protect our health and our civil liberties at the same time, including our fundamental right to vote." To this end the ACLU created a Web page with separate hyperlinks for each of the fifty states, providing information about the different ways in which a vote may be safely cas...
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  • Lara Downes plays npr: tiny desk home
    Posted At: May 30, 2020 12:00 AM

    The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space. Lara Downes thrives on collaboration. Her new album features Toshi Reagon, the vocal ensemble MUSICALITY and the string quartet...
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  • Lara Downes interpretations are precious on 'Some of These Days.' A masterful recording / glideMAGAZINE
    Posted At: April 3, 2020 12:00 AM

    Maybe it's the impact of the movie Harriet; maybe it's all the fine work of artists such as Mavis Staples and Rhiannon Giddens and others who have brought more awareness of old spirituals sung in the fields by slaves, some of which later became rallying songs for the Freedom Rides and the Civil Rights era. Whatever the catalyst, this music seems more present than ever. Pianist Lara Downes delivers these ...
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  • Watch Lara Downes livestream her album release for coronavirus relief / capradio
    Posted At: April 1, 2020 12:00 AM

    Since the beginning of the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus in the United States and the world earlier this year, many, if not most, have put a stop to social gatherings. A shelter in place order directing all residents to stay inside until further notice went into effect in Sacramento County on March 20. A day later Governor Gavin Newsom announced a stay at home order for all of California. In ...
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  • Lara Downes explores roots music on 'Some of These Days' / San Francisco Classical Voice Q&A
    Posted At: March 22, 2020 12:00 AM

    In liner notes for her new album, Some of These Days, pianist Lara Downes expresses the 14-track CD's origins and significance. A line in an African-American spiritual, "Welcome Table," provides the album's title and the final track is an adaptation by Downes of the composition by African-American composer Florence Price (1887–1953). Following a pull quote from the refrain, Downes reveals her purpo...
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  • Lara Downes releases 'Steal Away' From forthcoming album / American Songwriter
    Posted At: February 8, 2020 12:00 AM

    There are several ways to experience history. One can glimpse at the surface of it, looking at historic events as points on a linear chain, and keeping in mind that these are all events that have passed and are no longer with us. But one can also choose to fully immerse themselves in history, and attempt to place themselves back in time, which allows one to feel a shared connection with those who came be...
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  • Lara Downes - Holes in the Sky makes 105.9:WQXR 'Best Classical Recordings of 2019'
    Posted At: December 17, 2019 12:00 AM

    As a decade that has brought its fair share of ups and downs comes to a close, it's hard to be anything but amazed by one enormous plus: the sheer volume of exceptional new classical recordings that hit the shelves in the 2010s. The last year has been a fitting culmination, chock-full of brilliant reinterpretations of old favorites and bold ventures into new musical frontiers. Here are our favorites of 2...
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  • There is beauty here, let Lara Downes show you / WOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW
    Posted At: December 4, 2019 12:00 AM

    "Hey, do you want to go out to the symphony tonight?!" "I sure do, I LOVE symphonic music! What are they playing?" "It's a program of American classical music!" "… oh." It has been nearly a century now since Aaron Copland returned from his studies in France to attempt a grand fusion of American lyrical elements with European classical traditions, and in that fruitful eight score of...
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  • NetNebraska has 15 questions for Lara Downes
    Posted At: July 18, 2019 12:00 AM

    p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} Lara Downes is known for her eclectic presentations of the piano repertoire – from iconic favorites to newly-commissioned works – her performances bridge musical genres and traditions, and engage a w...
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  • Lara Downes - Holes in the Sky is the WRTI 'Classical Album of the Week'
    Posted At: July 3, 2019 12:00 AM

    Lara Downes new album, Holes in the Sky, on Portrait / Sony Music Masterworks label is a genre-fluid collection of music written and performed by today's leading female artists, celebrating the contributions of phenomenal women to the past, present, and future of American music. The music of Holes in the Sky tells the story of what women and girls can contribute to the world when they are given a cha...
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  • Lara Downes celebrates the artistic legacy of women on new album / New Classical Tracks
    Posted At: June 21, 2019 12:00 AM

    New Classical Tracks is a Syndicated feature airing nationally on Classical 24 and statewide via Minnesota Public Radio.  Lara Downes' new album was inspired by words from Georgia O'Keeffe: 'I want real things. Live people to take hold of, to see and talk to. Music that makes holes in the sky. I want to love as hard as I can.'  Downes says; "Those words just really struck m...
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  • On 'Holes In the Sky,' Lara Downes mixes rich and lyrical piano with intimate vocal duets / Jazz Weekly
    Posted At: June 13, 2019 12:00 AM

    Pianist Lara Downes mixes rich and lyrical piano solo originals between intimate duets with singers including Judy Collins, Rhiannon Giddens and Rachel Barton Pine." On her own at the ivories, she glows like vintage George Winston with a rich lyricism as on "Memory Mist" or "Music Pink and Blue." Judy Collins brings her "Albatross" as a folksy parlor piece, and Leyla McCalla takes Billie Holiday's "Don't...
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  • Lara Downes discusses 'Holes in the Sky' with FM91: Toledo
    Posted At: May 29, 2019 12:00 AM

    Lara Downes released her latest album, Holes in the Sky, on Portrait, Sony Music Masterworks earlier this year. A genre-fluid collection of music written and performed by today's leading female artists, celebrating the contributions of phenomenal women to the past, present, and future of American music, Holes in the Sky tells the story of what women and girls can contribute to the world when they are...
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  • Lara Downes on drawing courage and joy from women composers and artists / WFMT Q&A
    Posted At: May 23, 2019 12:00 AM

    Pianist Lara Downes is passionate about casting light on forgotten and unsung figures in classical music's history. Downes' discography signals this - A Billie Holiday Songbook, 13 Ways of Looking at the Goldberg, Exiles' Cafe, and multiple records focusing on different traditions of American music denote a keen interest in reimagining the canon. Downes' latest record, entitled Holes in the Sky, cont...
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  • Lara Downes & Hila Plitmann at Comunity makes LA Weekly's '12 best music shows this week in L.A.'
    Posted At: May 17, 2019 12:00 AM

    On her latest album, Holes in the Sky, pianist Lara Downes surrounds herself with an impressive lineup of special guests who help her cover music from across a variety of genres by such disparate women composers as Janis Ian, Clara Schumann, Georgia Stitt, Eve Beglarian, Joni Mitchell and Paola Prestini. Folk legend Judy Collins anoints the piano reverie "Albatross" with her trademark vocal grace, a...
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  • Lara Downes channels the collective artistry of the feminine / New Music Buff
    Posted At: May 17, 2019 12:00 AM

    Lara Downes has proven herself as a virtuoso pianist in solo, chamber, and with orchestra.  She has demonstrated facility with standard repertoire as well as an intelligent selection of contemporary composers.  In this sort of mid-career place she has begun releasing a more personal kind of album of which this is the third incarnation.  The "series' to which I refer is the perception of th...
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  • Lara Downes discusses 'Holes in the Sky' with classical radio
    Posted At: May 14, 2019 12:00 AM

    Lara Downes new album, Holes in the Sky, on Portrait / Sony Masterworks label is a genre-fluid collection of music written and performed by today's leading female artists, celebrating the contributions of phenomenal women to the past, present, and future of American music. The album tells the story of what women and girls can contribute to the world when they are given a chance - their dreams can mak...
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  • On new album, Lara Downes, as always shows extreme care in nuance and suggestion / Classical Candor
    Posted At: May 13, 2019 12:00 AM

    p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} It's always a pleasure to welcome another album from American pianist Lara Downes. Like her previous discs, her new album, "Holes in the Sky," involves a central theme, this time music by contemporary women artists. And she's assisted in her efforts by an assortment of popular and talented female musicians, i...
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  • Lara Downes releases recording of exceptional quality that celebrates the artistic spirit / textura
    Posted At: May 3, 2019 12:00 AM

    On earlier releases, Lara Downes celebrated Billie Holiday, Leonard Bernstein, and even America itself. On Holes in the Sky, the pianist shifts the focus to female artists and does so in a most expansive and encompassing manner. Works by contemporary composers, among them Elena Ruehr, Georgia Stitt, and Mary Kouyoumdjian, are presented alongside ones by earlier figures such as Florence Price, Hazel Scott...
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  • Lara Downes - Holes in the Sky / JAZZ CHILL
    Posted At: April 29, 2019 12:00 AM

    Lara Downes - Holes in the Sky, on Portrait, an imprint of the Sony Music Masterworks label is a genre-fluid collection of music written and performed by today's leading female artists, celebrating the contributions of phenomenal women to the past, present, and future of American music. The music of Holes in the Sky tells the story of what women and girls can contribute to the world when they are giv...
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  • Lara Downes discusses 'Holes in the Sky' with CapRadio
    Posted At: April 23, 2019 12:00 AM

    Pianist Lara Downes will host the 2019 Mondavi Center Young Artists Competition this week. The event features top-notch talent competing for scholarships to support their musical studies. Earlier this year, Lara Downes spoke with CapRadio's morning classical host Kevin Doherty about her latest album "Holes in the Sky," which features collaborations with Judy Collins, Rachel Barton Pine, Ifetayo Ali-Landi...
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  • Lara Downes - Holes in the Sky is ideastreamWCLV - Recording Of the Week
    Posted At: April 15, 2019 12:00 AM

    From the Sony/Portrait press release: "Holes in the Sky is a genre-fluid collection of music written and performed by today's leading female artists, celebrating the contributions of phenomenal women to the past, present, and future of American music.  The music of Holes in the Sky tells the story of what women and girls can contribute to the world when they are given a chance - their dreams can...
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  • Lara Downes Q&A with San Francisco Classical Voice
    Posted At: April 12, 2019 12:00 AM

    Pianist Lara Downes leaves no room for doubt. Given the choice as a professional musician to rant about male composers' dominance in music history, the repertoire of orchestras, chamber ensembles and soloists, and jazz, pop, funk, R&B, folk, and other playlists, or to rave about brilliant, overlooked women composers, Downes chooses the latter. Sacramento-based Downes's new album released in early...
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  • Set for NPR 'From the Top' taping at Breman Museum, Lara Downes talks with WABE: Atlanta
    Posted At: April 5, 2019 12:00 AM

    This Sunday, the Breman Museum presents the next in its Molly Blank Concert Series; a performance of From the Top. The NPR program showcases America's top young classical musicians. One of the foremost American pianists of her generation, Lara Downes will be the guest host. This one-of-a-kind concert will revolve around the theme of Jewish Music. On March 1, Downes released her new album, Holes in the Sk...
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  • Lara Downes continues to expand her reach on 'Holes in the Sky' / ALL MUSIC
    Posted At: April 4, 2019 12:00 AM

    "The American pianist Lara Downes is known for unique programming ideas in which classical and vernacular materials mix, not so much in what is called crossover as simply representing parts of a common tradition. She has experience as a jazz pianist and is especially adept at finding pieces from the African-American classical tradition that fit multi-genre programs. Recently signed to the major Sony labe...
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  • Lara Downes discusses her creative practice on WNYC: All Things Classical
    Posted At: March 18, 2019 12:00 AM

    Clemency Burton-Hill joins us for her ongoing series, "All Things Classical." Pianist Lara Downes discusses her creative practice. Art Shamsky, former right-fielder for the Mets, and Erik Sherman, a sports biographer, talk about their new book, After the Miracle: The Lasting Brotherhood of the '69 Mets. Architecture critic and journalist James Russell discusses the opening of Hudson Yards. Frampton Tolbe...
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  • Eclectic collaborations abound on Lara Downes - Holes in the Sky / Texas Public Radio
    Posted At: March 15, 2019 12:00 AM

    Welcome to Major Themes, a monthly feature in which classical music experts recommend a must-hear recording based on what's happening at classical stations and programs around the country. This month, we checked in with friends in Michigan, Tennessee, Vermont and California, and the national program Pipedreams. Here are their picks, with an emphasis on Women's History Month, piano, birthdays and ...
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  • Back in Sac, Lara Downes discusses her women's empowerment concert with Good Day-CW31
    Posted At: March 13, 2019 12:00 AM

    On March 1, American pianist Lara Downes released her new album, Holes in the Sky, on Portrait, an imprint of the Sony Music Masterworks label. Holes in the Sky is a genre-fluid collection of music written and performed by today's leading female artists, celebrating the contributions of phenomenal women to the past, present, and future of American music. The music of Holes in the Sky tells the st...
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