By DEBORAH CORRAO / L’Observateur / January 25, 1999

Singer/songwriter Johnette Downing has cooked up a success with the release of a new CD called “From the Gumbo Pot-Stirring Up Tasty Tunes,” and students at John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School agree it’s arecipe for fun.

The 36-year-old New Orleans singer/songwriter serves as artist-in- residence at the LaPlace elementary school.

And while many students dread Monday mornings, youngsters at John L. Orylook forward to Monday. That’s the day Downing comes to their school toteach music.

A music program for lower elementary students isn’t funded by the St. John Parish School System, so the school has applied for a grant for the past three years to have the musician come in once a week and work with the students.

Downing, a New Orleans native, didn’t plan for a career in music. Shemajored in theatre at Southeastern Louisiana University, but with singer/musicians for parents she fell into the role easily.

Her first cassette of children’s music called “Music Time” is in its third printing. Her latest release is a potpourri of original tunes and traditionalLouisiana songs with lots of down-home flavor.

In “From the Gumbo Pot” Downing sings and plays the guitar and mandolin.

Downing said she was always a songwriter and she shares her skills with students at John L. Ory and Isadore Newman in New Orleans, where sheworks three days a week.

Besides learning basic musical concepts like rhythm and tempo, Downing’s students write their own songs and perform them for their peers and parents at the end of the school year.

Their musical education, though, begins with simple percussion instruments like rhythm sticks.

“Children are natural musicians,” says Downing. “They start with simpleconcepts and achieve instant success.”Kindergarten students learn to count rhythms by tapping sticks together, then expand on their skills by beating the rhythm to a popular children’s song like “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.”When they begin the process of writing their own songs, Downing said the children start with an idea or subject they all have in common – like recess.

“Then they start giving me ideas about recess,” said Downing. “They comeup with things like ‘playing ball’ and ‘singing songs.’ Then they’re ready towrite the first line of the song.”The process becomes more structured as students compose lyrics that rhyme while making sure their creation has the right number of beats in each line and a tune that fits the lyrics.

In her spare time, Downing performs with a 1940s style swing and jazz band, Front Porch Swingers. The band was recently featured on the livetelevision program “Louisiana Jukebox,” produced by Cox Communications in New Orleans.

She has performed her original and contemporary music for children in Washington, D.C. and throughout Louisiana and neighboring states for thepast nine years. She also puts in regular appearances at local libraries andfestivals, including the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

Downing said her work is rewarded by the love she gets from the children she performs for and teaches.

“Children are so honest,” she said. “The kids are always excited to see meand run up to me with big hugs. I get back much more than I give.”Downing’s new CD “From the Gumbo Pot” is available at the Maple Street Children’s Book Shop in New Orleans or by calling 861-2682.

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