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 raised in Oaxaca (California) and Minnesota. She graduated from her University of Minnesota voice and Anthropology degrees. Her musical approach is anthropological and as diverse as the many ancient and earthy cultures she continues to be 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 connect to a diverse audience by bringing them music. She has been touring the globe for over a decade , performing her own unique and dramatic reinventions of Mexican music and also unique compositions that combine jazz, blues and sou