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 06/2005

    Ted Nash & Odeon
    La Espada de La Noche

  • reviewed 02/2005

    The Butterfat Trio
    Under Dog

  • reviewed 07/2004

    Anitbalas
    Who is This America?

  • reviewed 07/2006

    LISA KARP
    Fucsia Blues w/ Dr. John

  • reviewed 03/2007

    Thad Jones
    One More: The Summary: Music of Thad Jones Volume 2

  • reviewed 07/2008

    VARIOUS
    Rumble In the Great Lakes (Best of the Detroit Jazz Fest 2007)

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.