Silvan Joray

Silvan Joray is a Swiss jazz guitarist and composer currently based in New York City. He has gained recognition in the jazz community, having won special prizes at the UNISA International Strings Competition in South Africa 2022 and the Smietana Jazz Guitar Competition 2019 in Poland. He has performed at prestigious jazz festivals including the Krakow Summer Jazz Festival, Offbeat Jazzfestival Basel, and International Jazz Festival Bern, and has toured in Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Israel.

Joray grew up in a musical family and began his formal training on the classical guitar, which he studied for eight years before discovering jazz and switching to the electric guitar. He was initially interested in playing jazz standards and influenced by guitarists such as Wes Montgomery. However, his studies with renowned jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel at Jazzcampus Basel broadened his musical horizons, inspiring him to compose his own music. This eventually led to the release of his debut album "Cluster" in 2020, which was produced by Muthspiel and co-produced by Swiss Radio SRF2.

Joray's upcoming album, "Updraft," showcases his unique blend of traditional and modern jazz styles. His music is characterized by intricate harmonies, melodic sensitivity, and virtuosic improvisation. It will feature Jeff Ballard on drums and Nadav Erlich on bass. Joray is currently immersed in the New York City jazz scene and is continually developing his style by experimenting with extended techniques like quarter tones and „tapping" which are not traditionally associated with jazz guitar playing.

Awards

* Special Prize at UNISA International Strings Competition 2022 in South Africa

* sponsorship prize for music by the Kanton of Solothurn 2020

* Special Prize at Jarek Smietana International Jazz Guitar Competition 2019

* 3rd Prize at 7 Virtual Jazz Club Under 25 Competition 2018

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