The Downbeat Project was founded when Clarence Green first played music with Gerald Soriano and Zack Blatter on their front porch in the outskirts of Charlottesville, VA. They would experiment with different drum and bass grooves until something sparked Clarence's interest, sending him into melodic and lyrical improvisation that would become the basis of Green's new songs. That spontaneity is still at the heart of the Downbeat Project, because in the midst of a thoughtfully packaged roots pop song, the core was sparked by the best moments of a killer groove. With the addition of drummer/bass singer Rob Hubbard, the band's rhythmic and harmonic potential expanded even further. And then there's the unique voice of Clarence Green. With warmth and emotion, and a rich smoothness that makes you nostalgic for summer days listening to Ray Charles and Jack Johnson, Green's vocals glide in and around infectious rhythms and melodies, creating a sound that appeals to fans of pop, roots, island, rock, and all points in between. Green's songs are energizing and uplifting, plaintive and observan, and he connects with a crowd like few others can. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.