Artist Biography

Johnette Downing is an author and a multi-award winning singer, songwriter and musician performing original music with Louisiana spice for children internationally. Having performed concerts and given keynotes and educator workshops in Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and throughout the United States, Johnette is dedicated to sharing her Louisiana musical and literary heritage from the roots up with children. Through her musical performances, children have an opportunity to express themselves creatively, use their imaginations, learn about music and music concepts, embrace cultural diversity, interact socially with other children through dance, movement and singing, and celebrate the joy of childhood through the laughter, play, wonder, unity and community music offers.

Downing’s has garnered multiple awards including five Parents’ Choice Awards, two Parent’s Guide To Children’s Media Awards, four National Parenting Publications Awards, three iParenting Media Awards, a Family Choice Award, a Family Review Center Award and an Imagination Award. Her work has received rave reviews on Grammy.com and in Nick Jr. Magazine, Family Fun Magazine, Parenting Magazine, Parent's Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, American Library Association's Booklist, School Library Journal, Washington Post, Early Childhood News, Cookie Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, New Orleans Magazine and Big Apple Parent to name a few. Further, she was selected as one of "Thirty People to Watch in 2000" by New Orleans Magazine and "Forty Under Forty" by Gambit Weekly Magazine.

In addition to her work as a performer, Downing is an author and poet. Based on one of her songs, Johnette’s book Today Is Monday In Louisiana takes young readers through a culinary calendar describing a delicious Louisiana meal for each day of the week. Her counting book and song Down in Louisiana teaches young readers about Louisiana animals and their habitats. Cofounder of the New Orleans Haiku Society, Johnette’s haiku have appeared in numerous haiku journals, anthologies and books.

Downing is listed on the SouthernArtistry Registry, Louisiana Artist Roster and the Louisiana Touring Directory.

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Artist Statement

I continually strive to write and perform engaging, child-centered, thought provoking, family friendly, entertaining and educational music that respects the sophistication and intelligence of today’s children. My greatest musical influences come from being fortunate enough to be born in Louisiana, the birthplace of Dixieland Jazz, Jazz, Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music. These rich musical influences along with Afro-Caribbean rhythms are my muse and inspire my songwriting. I am committed to keeping my region’s musical culture alive from the roots up through a musical gumbo of interactive performances. One of the greatest compliments I received was from Michael Tisserand, author of The Kingdom of Zydeco and editor of Gambit Weekly Magazine, in which he dubbed me, "The pied piper of Louisiana music traditions." This statement is a testament to my affection for the people, the music, the food, and the rich cultural heritage of Louisiana.

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of my parents, my siblings and me standing in the doorways of Jazz clubs in the French Quarter and listening to Dixieland Jazz. I want to share music with children the way my parents shared it with me at such a young age. I perform music for children because I love it, I respect children, I like making children laugh and think, I want to share my musical culture, and I like giving children a reason to celebrate being children.

Writing and performing music for children has been a passion of mine since 1988 and I endeavor to share my Louisiana musical heritage with children all over the globe for many years to come.

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Mission Statement

Celebrate the joy of childhood through music and literature.

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