The Soulful Christmas Tour began at the end of November and singer Will Downing, dubbed “Prince of Sophisticated Soul,” joined the tour that also features Lalah Hathaway and saxophonist Gerald Albright. The vocalist is looking forward to performing holiday material as well as tunes from his hit 2007 CD release After Tonight.

This year has seen Downing concentrating on getting back to performing live after learning in 2006 that he has the debilitating disease polymyositis, in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks muscle fibers. For almost a year the singer was bedridden and nearly unable to move.

In April Downing announced that with the aid of immunosuppressant drugs of the type tested in Muscular Dystrophy Association clinical trials, he was recovering and returning to his performing career.

Downing has 13 albums to his credit and won the International Association of African-American Music’s Diamond Award in 2002.

Downing acknowledges that breakthroughs in medical research helped him beat a disease that initially dealt him almost unbearable pain. “My family’s support, faith in God and doctors who knew how to fight my illness brought me back from some very tough times,” he said.

Asked about balancing his health with his career, Downing has said, “You know what? I take it day by day. You know the phone is ringing consistently for folks to book me to come out and do whatever I do. That’s good, but I’m trying to do a good balancing act now. I take a little work, do a little play. I do what I can do. I don’t over-extend myself.”

For more information on Will Downing you can visit willdowning.com. For more information on the Soulful Christmas Tour you can visit soulfulchristmastour.com.

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