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 12/1969

    The Aperturistic Trio
    Truth and Actuality

  • reviewed 08/2007

    ELDAR
    Re-Imagination

  • reviewed 04/2008

    PAUL RENZ QUINTET
    Rebop

  • reviewed 11/2003

    MeShell NdegeOcello
    Comfort Woman

  • reviewed 11/2006

    JAVON JACKSON
    Now

  • reviewed 07/2007

    BILLY BANG QUINTET FEATURING FRANK LOWE
    Above & Beyond: Live in Grand Rapids

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.