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 02/2006

    FRED HERSCH
    In Amsterdam: Live at the Bimhuis.

  • reviewed 08/2010

    THE DEAD KENNY G'S
    Bewildered Herd

  • reviewed 10/2003

    Geoff Muldaur's Futuristic Ensemble
    Private Astronomy - A Vision of the Music of Bix Beiderbecke

  • reviewed 10/2009

    DIGITAL PRIMITIVES
    Hum, Crackle, and Pop

  • reviewed 09/2015

    Bob Merrill and Roswell Rudd
    Cheerin' Up The Universe

  • reviewed 12/2011

    JOE CARO
    Home Alone

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.