Johnette Downing is releasing a new single on Friday, October 14, titled “Mean Old Witch” from Jumpin’ Jitters, an upcoming Halloween album for children.
Jumpin’ Jitters album will be released on Friday, October 21.
“As a children’s musician and former early childhood music teacher, I performed and taught the songs I put on the album in my classroom and on stage for over thirty-four years,” said Downing. “The album project began before the pandemic, but with the help of a grant from the Threadhead Cultural Foundation, we were able to complete the project in time for Halloween.”
In 2009, the non-profit Threadhead Cultural Foundation was launched to promote the cultural heritage of New Orleans through grants and assistance to musicians, artists, and others involved in endeavors relating to music and other artistic expressions whose work is in the tradition of preserving, promoting and disseminating the cultural heritage of New Orleans and the surrounding area of Louisiana. The Foundation raises funds through memberships, fundraising events and donations. For information on the history and activities of Threadheads, visit threadheads.org.
Called the “Musical Ambassador to Children” and the “Pied Piper of Louisiana Music Traditions,” Downing is a multi-award winning musician and author who serves up a gumbo of Louisiana roots music and books in a toe-tapping, two-stepping good time for children across the globe. In addition to working with children, she presents keynotes and workshops for educators globally. Dedicated to celebrating childhood, nurturing cultural exchanges, and fostering literacy through her music and books, Downing has performed in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, Central America, North America and the Caribbean. Her presentations speak to a child’s interests in an engaging, interactive, thought-provoking, educational, entertaining and culturally respectful way. A governor of the Recording Academy’s Memphis Chapter, Downing has garnered a long list of awards for her music and her writing including a 2017 Louisiana Writer Award. For more information, visit johnettedowning.com.
