Lila Downs

 Lila Downs was born in Oaxaca (Mexico) to Anita Sanchez, Mixtec singer, and Allen Downs a Scottish-American artist film maker and professor. She was raised in Oaxaca, California, and Minnesota, where she graduated from the University of Minnesota in voice and an anthropology degree. Her musical style is anthropological in nature, as diverse as the old and ancient cultures which continue to nourish and motivate her. 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 with diverse audiences by bringing them music. She has been performing around all over the world for more than a decade , performing her own unique and dramatic reimaginings of Mexican music, as well as original compositions that blend blues, jazz and soul.