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Susana Raya

Singer & Guitar player from south Spain

About Me

Considered by the jazz critic and historian Ted Gioia as “the Andalusian Eva Cassidy”, Raya is a rare thing in art. She has developed a style where voice and guitar seem to breathe at the same time.

Susana grew up playing classical guitar at her hometown, Córdoba (Spain). Apart from that, she was always writing songs as a way of expression since she was thirteen. Soon, she felt attracted to jazz and improvised music, establishing in Amsterdam to finish her studies in jazz guitar at the Conservatory. Songwriter, classically trained guitar player, European awarded jazz singer and jazz guitar graduated. Susana combines her singer-songwriter spirit with a jazz touch which is enhanced by her Spanish roots.

“My music is the result of being inspired by artists that have resonated in me profoundly. My biggest love has gone to Chet Baker, Pat Metheny, Elis Regina, Antonio Vega, Eva Cassidy, and many others…”

She was mentioned in the new book of Ted Gioia, “Jazz Standard: a guide to the repertoire” (Oxford University press, 2012) that recommends her “My one and only love” version among other thirteen. Her collaboration with the legendary jazz bass player, Steve Swallow in Upstate New York at 2013 opened the door to record her new album Wind Rose, that includes songs cooked for the last five years. Providence brought her the joy to make it with a five start team: Clifford Carter (piano, James Taylor, Art Garfunkel), Ira Coleman (double bass, Sting, Dee dee Bridgewater), Leo Amuedo (guitar, Ivan Lins, Chris Botti), Cyro Baptista (percussion, Paul Simon, Yo-yo Ma, Herbie Hancock). It was recorded live at Clubhouse Studios, Rhinebeck, NY. The producer, Gary Burke, says: “Susana Raya is the most accomplished debut artist I have ever come across in all the years I have been doing this. She can sing, she can play and she can write. A triple threat as we say here in the States.”

AWARDS – First Prize “International Young Jazz Singers Contest Nomme Jazz” Tallinn, Estonia, 2006. – Second Prize “International Jazz Singers Contest Lady Summertime”, Finland, 2006. – Third Prize “International Jazz Soloist Competition”, Monaco, 2007. – SECOND PRIZE “International Jazz Competition for Singing Musician”, Zory, Poland. 2011. – Finalist “International Massimo Urbani Award” (Italy), 2006. – “Best Spanish Group” II International Jazz Granada Festival Contest. 2003