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 03/2006

    SONDRE LERCHE & THE FACES DOWN QUARTET
    Duper Sessions

  • reviewed 02/2006

    ERIN BODE
    Over and Over

  • reviewed 08/2007

    THE BORN AGAIN FLOOZIES
    7 Deadly Sinners

  • reviewed 10/2008

    SAXOPHONE SUMMIT-(Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano)
    SAXOPHONE SUMMIT

  • reviewed 09/2011

    T.K. BLUE
    Latin Bird

  • reviewed 06/2005

    MeShell Ndegeocello
    The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance of the Infidel

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.