Raya Yarbrough

This album is a breath of fresh air! It's refreshing, relaxing, and something you can listen to on repeat. For several years, L.A.-born songwriter/vocalist/musician Raya Yarbrough has been captivating West Coast audiences with a mesmerizing blend of jazz, pop, rhythm and blues, Latin and much more. On the strength of compelling live performances that reveal shades of Joni Mitchell, Duke Ellington, Bjork and a variety of other diverse influences, she has captured the attention of critics from either coast as an up-and-coming star. The LA Times called her voice "a pliable, versatile instrument, an effective vehicle for a musical expression that ranges freely from pop-style ballad to surprisingly effective scat singing". Raya Yarbrough's self-titled debut embraces the broad sweep of her musical influences and the insightful songcraft that has become her trademark. A promising debut from the Californian singer, strongly influenced by Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan. It's more crossover than straight jazz, but her personality comes through strongly. Drawing on several musical strands, it doesn't have to mean compromise. It's a hidden gem. This CD is a MUST HAVE for anyone who is a self proclaimed neo-jazz fan or anyone who has a good taste in music.