AlternaJazz (Sparks & Shadows) have announced the upcoming release of a new album from singer-songwriter and
multi-faceted artist Raya Yarbrough, "North of Sunset, West of Vine."
The twelve song record will be available on CD through Amazon, and from all
major digital retailers Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.
Two years in
the making, "North of Sunset, West of Vine" features ten new songs
written and performed by Yarbrough, as well as her arrangements of two beloved
cover songs. The songs on the album are inspired by the singer's memories of
performing in jazz clubs throughout Hollywood, initially with her father,
beginning at the age of seven. With soulful and layered vocals, strings, and
multi-textural soundscapes, this album is her stories brought to life.
"I
didn't go back to Hollywood for a decade," said Yarbrough, "but when
I finally found myself at a party on a rooftop across from the El Capitan,
memories came back like raw diamonds. Ugly and precious. Old pain flipped into
devotion, and the chords came with the words. It's exciting to have these
stories collected now, to live them from the other side."
Yarbrough
made her international debut on Telarc (Concord) in 2008 with her self-titled
album, "Raya Yarbrough", produced by Oingo Boingo alum Steve Bartek.
She released a total of three previous independent albums, and band members
have included members of Kneebody, Zappa Plays Zappa, and Kamasi Washington's
band. Yarbrough has performed and collaborated with pianist Billy Childs and
continues to work on multiple projects with composer and songwriter Van Dyke
Parks. She also frequently sings with Grammy-winning rock band, Portugal. The
Man.
Some of
Yarbrough's notable live performances include opening for Terence Blanchard at
The Jazz Standard in New York City as well as a special performance at the
Hollywood Bowl as part of the Playboy Jazz Festival. She is also known globally
as the singer in the opening credits of the television series
"Outlander," and as the female singing voice on the sci-fi hit
'Battlestar Galactica.'
Yarbrough's
"North of Sunset, West of Vine" features drummer Tony Austin, from
Kamasi Washington's groundbreaking album "The Epic", jazz pianist
John Beasley, and Steve Bartek of Oingo Boingo, on guitar.
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