Raya Yarbrough

Raya Yarbrough

2008-04-14

Sultry, seductive, bluesy, jazzy & beautiful are just a few of the adjectives to describe the voice of Raya Yarbrough. Raya started singing jazz at the age of seven and it’s easy to see how the classic artists like Nina Simone, Clifford Brown & others have shaped her musical style. It is also easy to see that Raya doesn’t want to be pigeonholed into being just another Jazz singer as she opens with the bluesy “Lord Knows I Would” & then shifts gears into the Reggae flavored “You’re So Bad For Me”. Several tracks have a certain Pop feel to them & the ending up-tempo “Better Days” Raya has a vocal scat that makes this listener believe she has many better days ahead. - Gregg Saur

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Jazz

  • reviewed 12/2006

    ERIC FRAZIER
    In Your Own Time

  • reviewed 05/2012

    LENNY MARCUS TRIO
    Sun Ray - A Tribute to Ray Bryant

  • reviewed 04/2008

    BOBBY WATSON AND THE LIVE AND LEARN BAND
    Fronm The Heart

  • reviewed 01/2005

    New Birth Brass Band
    New Birth Family

  • reviewed 05/2007

    Robin Eubanks and EB3
    Live Vol. 1

  • reviewed 02/2009

    THE JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET
    New World

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.