Sugaray Rayford (USA)
Sun 21st May 2023Doors at 6pm, show at 7pm.
The return of one of the truly great blues singers of the 21st century, with his full band! It’s going to be a big one!
Part standing show – you’re going to want to dance!
Sugaray Rayford
A chance meeting in Memphis laid the groundwork for a unique musical partnership between soul-blues powerhouse Sugaray Rayford and producer, songwriter Eric Corne. Combining classic soul melodies with funky R & B grooves, raw blues power, and mashed up with modern sensibilities, the pair's first collaboration, Somebody Save Me, earned Rayford a 2020 Grammy nomination while later that year he took home Blues Music Awards for 'Soul Blues Male Artist' and 'B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.'
Last summer's adventurous single ‘Homemade Disaster’ took things further, landing on multiple retro soul and new blues playlists on Spotify, with PopMatters declaring the track ‘will appeal to fans of Gary Clark Jr. and Chicano Batman.’
Sugaray Rayford returns with ‘In Too Deep’. Combining classic soul melodies with funky R&B grooves, raw blues power and mashed up with modern sensibilities, the album takes on issues, such as PTSD, civil rights and social justice. With vibrantly detailed arrangements tailored to showcase Rayford's deft portrayals and interpretations, In Too Deep is a poignant album that seeks to inspire and uplift.
At his core, Sugaray Rayford is a galvanizing uniter. His live shows are a party. Some conversations may be had, and some self-reflection may occur, but at the end of the day, people leave feeling a sense of joy and togetherness.
‘Dude sings like Otis Redding and Muddy Waters yet can dance like James Brown.’ - Goldmine Magazine
‘Sugaray Rayford has the vocal chops to die for, but he's got something else - it's called star power and charisma. This guy's got "It."’ - Rock & Blues Muse
‘So here's a question for you folks. When was the last time you heard a singer announce, before a note has been played, that ‘We're gonna get butt naked about 10 songs in’? Not an everyday occurrence is it? But what this gig demonstrates is that Sugaray Rayford is not your everyday live performer. Oh no. He's a colossus.’ - Bluesenthused.com
‘The irrepressible Sugar Rayford dismantling the London Blues Week performing here at the 100 Club. A stonking band who ripped into the place like a soul tsunami, taking no prisoners - to hell with dry January this was inspirational!’ - Soul & Blues Magazine
‘In Too Deep is arguably a stronger album than (the Grammy nominated) Somebody Save Me, as fine as that was.’ - AllMusic (Editor's Choice)