Biff in Richmond, Virginia

Another Jazz Concert by Biff Downey

at Douthat State Park

Saturday, 2nd of July, 2011 

Douthat Lake Amphitheater

Below is the announcement and review of the 

Douthat Concert on July 4, 2009

Biff Croons at Douthat

For as far back as can be remembered, Biff was always interested in singing. As a young boy he sang for his relatives, neighbors and friends. His father sang and played the left-handed banjo and this is probably where his interest and talent came from. His father also called figures at square dances and often little Biff would sing and dance for the crowd. Mainly he sang in the choirs at the McCallister Memorial Presbyterian Church. He was given solos in the annual Easter and Christmas pageants and Cantatas, and ceremonies related to Vacation Bible School.

His singing talent was noticed at school as well. He was given lead singing roles in school operettas and Minstrel shows, sang on TV and radio, and was a member of the Covington High School Chorus and Acapella Choir.

He started studying voice in Junior High School with Francis Rupert who was the choir director at McCallister Memorial Presbyterian Church. His voice was a high baritone. At Covington High School he studied voice under Nell Fleshman. Both of these voice teachers were graduates of Westminster Choir College.

At Maryville College, the Presbyterian College where Biff was a pre-ministerial student in hopes of becoming a Presbyterian minister, he majored in psychology and minored in drama/music. There he studied voice under Dr. Dan Kinsinger, concentrating in classical arias and sacred music. Biff also performed in musicals, playing Billy in Carousel and Charlie in Brigadoon. Dr. Kinsinger tried to persuade Biff to leave college and go to New York to try and break into musical comedy, advice Biff will always be sorry he didn't take.

After abandoning his desire to become a minister, Biff left Maryville College and moved to Richmond, Virginia. It was here that his singing career took hold.

Biff never learned to play a musical instrument or how to read music. This kept him from being a solo performer. In Richmond he had various gigs with different piano players, but it was his desire to sing with a band.

Biff and Spencer Waddell, a Covington High School classmate, were roommates in Richmond. While Biff was in the Air Force and attending Maryville College, Spencer had formed several bands in Covington. Biff convinced Spencer to create a band for him to sing with in Richmond. Spencer created a five piece, rock and roll show band called "The Vibrations", gave Oscar Downey the nickname "Biff" and in the early 60's, "Biff" Downey and Biff and The Vibrations were born.

Biff and The Vibrations were the winners of the first Battle of the Bands contest held at the Tantilla Gardens, Richmond, Virginia and they played extensively during the 60's at clubs and frat houses in Richmond, Charlottesville and Virginia Beach.

His singing career continued on to New York City when he transferred there with Philip Morris International in the early 70's. Biff then changed to Cabaret style performing, focusing on jazz, ballads, standards and show tunes. He acquired a manager/agent, Mary Small, and she booked him into jazz and cabaret clubs such as The Apartment (Judy, Mel, and Frank sang there), The Copacabana, The Duplex, The Living Room, The Haymarket, Mary Mary, Catch a Rising Star, Reno Sweeney's and The Upstairs at the Downstairs, sharing the bill there with the then unknown Bette Middler. He was on the same boite circuit as Ellen Green (Little Shop of Horrors), and Peter Allen (Liza's husband). Biff was favorably reviewed in New York newspapers and magazines and once was featured in the then trendy After Dark magazine.

 He left Mary Small and was later coached in cabaret performing by James St. James, voice by Carlo Menotti, and Jon Randolph Booth, III.

When Biff returned to Richmond in the early 80's, he gave up his singing career. By request, he briefly came out of retirement to do an AIDS benefit, "An Evening of Jazz with Biff Downey" in October 1988 at Fieldens, a Richmond club, that was recorded and a tape of the performance was produced.

For the Christmas Holidays of 2004, 

Biff produced a Christmas Album that he gave to his family and friends 

that included the following songs: 

During the summer of 2005,  Biff gave four concerts at the

Fire Island, New York

Salem, Virginia

Rocky Mount, Virginia

Shreveport, Louisiana

Biff at the Shreveport, Louisiana Concert

BIFF AND THE MAJIK JAZZ QUARTET REPERTOIRE 

Biff’s dynamic performing style is infused with passion, sensitivity, and boundless energy. He has literally sung himself around the world, having performed in more than twenty countries. Having mastered several languages, he often sings songs in their original French, Spanish and Portuguese. He is comfortable in many genres including Blues, Ballads, Swing, Jazz, Bluegrass, Folk, Country and Western, and Broadway and Cabaret style songs. He approaches each song as though it’s a story that needs to be told. Biff sings from the heart and approaches each song with a complete understanding of the story it tells, and with his mature, vocal sound and amazing showmanship, his performances are truly memorable events.

     His warmth, sparkle, and sophistication combined with his  understanding of jazz ensure that he never treats standards as well-worn songs as they often sound in less capable hands. For many years, Biff headlined at numerous New York City clubs including the Copacabana, Upstairs at the Downstairs, the Apartment, the Living Room, the Rainbow Room, Reno Sweeny’s, the Hayloft and the Duplex. His favorite Jazz vocalists: Diana Krall, Shirley Horn, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Blossom Dearie have heavily influenced his unique style.