Lila Downs

 Lila Downs was born in Oaxaca (Mexico) to Anita Sanchez, Mixtec singer, and Allen Downs a Scottish-American artist professor and filmmaker. She was born in Oaxaca (California) and Minnesota. She graduated from her University of Minnesota voice and Anthropology degrees. Her musical style is anthropological, and as diverse as the numerous diverse and ancient traditions she is inspired and nurtured by. Downs is usually accompanied on her musical journey by her longtime band, La Misteriosa, multi-cultural multi-instrumentalists who include Paul Cohen, her collaborator, producer, and husband.The topic of her music is often political and social justice, immigration, and transformation, all rooted in the human condition. Lila Downs strives to make an important connection with her many fans by her music and performances.For more than a decade Lila Downs has traversed the globe, performing her dramatic and distinctive reinvention of traditional Mexican music and original compositions infused with blues, jazz soul, African root, and even klezmer music, all supporting her soaring voice. Although Lila is considered to be a Mexican artist by some, it's difficult to categorize her music in a specific way.