In episode 2 of Sounds of Healing with Alvinette Downing, president of the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association interviews Dontae Wilson, who was in town briefly while on his tour with Justin Timberlake. They talked about intentions, the importance of live theater to connect us,  the power of music to heal, the importance of embracing your craft and how love conquers all and nurtures the creative spirit. If you listen, and you experience the vibrations and synchronicity of music and life, you can live life better and soar to new heights with your music. 

Dontae Winslow is one the rising stars in the music industry and is currently touring with Justin Timberlake.  He is known as this generations innovative film composer, arranger, music producer, and trumpeter. Learn more here/songs.

In five years, he attained a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Classical Music Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of the John's Hopkins University. He also completed studies at USC under film composer Terence Blanchard, pianist Herbie Hancock, string arranger Jeremy Lubbock, and trumpeter Gary Grant at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz on a fellowship. He has collaborated with music that spans every genre in the musical landscape from Pop, Country, Blues, European classical, Film Score Soundtrack, and Jazz, to Hip-hop, Soul, and Gospel.

As a composer he has Scored opening music for HBO’s The Slow Hustle 2021. In 2017 he scored the Documentary “Baltimore Rising” about the death of unarmed black male Freddie Grey; which received 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Dontae composed music for the Trailer and End Title Theme song for the film. He composed music for BET’s the New Edition Story, a three night saga earning the highest rating for a cable show in BET’s history. He composed music for Robert Townsends “In The Hive” starring the late Oscar nominated Michael Clark Duncan and Loretta Divine.

Dontae has toured/performed/recorded with: Justin Timberlake, Dr.Dre, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce, Chris Stapleton, Lady A, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Garth Brooks, Kelsea Ballerini, Kamasi Washington, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Jill Scott, Common, Neyo, D’Angelo, Christina Aguilera, Lauryn Hill, and Snoop Dogg. He has the horn with the famous Red Bell. You can see him performing on the NETFLIX special Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids.

Recently he arranged horns and performed for three Superbowl Half-Time Shows, JLO & Shakira 2020 and Justin Timberlake 2018, and the upcoming Dr. Dre/Eminem/MJB/Snoop halftime show. Dontae also arranged the Score for Eminem’s 92nd Oscar Awards Performance of the Academy award winning song “Loose Yourself”, and conducted and arranged “Moonlight Sonata” at the late Kobe Bryants Memorial with Alicia Keys on piano.

In 2021 Dontae arranged string orchestra for the new hit single by Pop Band WHY DON’T WE entitled “Grey”. In 2021 Dontae released the highly anticipated album entitled “Walking Art” featuring Music Luminaries Branford Marsalis, Terrace Martin, Queen Shic, Kamasi Washington, Kenyon Dixon, Raheem Devaughn, and Gary Thomas.

SOUNDS OF HEALING with Alvinette Downing RadioStPete.com news director Nanette Wiser is proud to present a new monthly podcast - Sounds of Healing with Alvinette Downing, president of the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association. Our new partnership is the first of many exciting projects. In her soothing and incisive podcast, Alvinette interviews with musicians, discusses how music can heal and help us reconcile our past, present and envision the future, shares inspirational lyrics as well as memories from the life of Alvinette and her family, especially her late, legendary father Al Downing.

ABOUT ADTBJA Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, Inc. is to promote Jazz and to encourage the appreciation of Jazz, its origin and evolution. By sponsoring concerts and other events that present quality Jazz and by providing educational opportunities for adults and youth, the association preserves and perpetuates Jazz as an original American art form. UPCOMING EVENTS Vice President Jean Pierce shares with RSP about summer concerts, events and the Monday Jazz Jam @The Hangar in downtown St. Pete. More events here.