Gig Review: Sugaray Rayford

Photo: Sugaray Rayford

Gig Review: Sugaray Rayford

By Martine Ehrenclou

Known as a live wire on stage, Grammy nominee Sugaray Rayford and his mighty band blasted the roof off the Maui Sugar Mill on Monday night. Courtesy of blues promotor Cadillac Zack who promises the best blues artists at four locations around Southern California every weekend, Zack delivers. And he certainly delivered this night with powerhouse soul-blues vocalist and songwriter Sugaray.

You might not think that a small dive bar in a Tarzana strip mall would be a bustling hub for live music on Monday nights. But the people who attend Cadillac Zack’s shows there, know that the music will be top tier. Dimly lit with high top tables, leather banquets and a stage in back, it doesn’t look like much at first, but that’s part of its 1970’s charm. Just wait until you’re so close to the stage that you feel the heat coming off the band.

At a high-top table in front, I noticed a few music legends seated around me. That’s not uncommon for Zack’s shows here—they come to see great artists, but also to sit in for a song or two, or simply reconnect with friends. The band appeared on stage, a group of well-known musicians; Danny Avila (guitar), Sky Garcia (drums), and Drake Munkihaid Shining (keyboards.) They set up and waited for their frontman. I heard someone say that Sugaray was out front smoking a cigar. Within minutes, the bar was packed, people jammed inside, some spilling out into the parking lot.

Sugaray Rayford

You can’t help but notice Sugaray Rayford with his swagger and confidence. Standing at 6’ 5”, he’s imposing at first, almost intimidating, until he turns on the charm and makes you his friend. There are certain people who have that kind of magnetism. It doesn’t hurt that he and super-producer Eric Corne write some truly great originals, many with a message about decent values, compassion and the state of humanity.

Sugaray didn’t win the Blues Music Award “BB King Entertainer of the Year” two years in a row for nothing. The man’s got the goods.

Dressed in a straw cowboy hat, jeans, silver skull necklaces, and skull rings on his fingers, Sugaray made his way to the stage, joking with people along the way. He didn’t bother to introduce himself, just continued bantering with the crowd. At the mic now, he grinned, “This aint a concert, it’s a party!”

Rayford and his band kicked off the set with the funky crowd pleaser “Who Is He (And What Is He To You?”) by Bill Withers. A funky groove with horns, the band was tight. Sugaray danced, hips swaying as he lowered himself to the ground. The horns kicked into gear and Drake killed it on his keyboard solo. Talk about rhythm. Avila on guitar gave us a glimpse of what was to come that night with some tasty riffs on a Gibson 339. What a player. Drummer Garcia kept things cracking and locked down.

This isn’t just modern soul-blues. Sugaray blends funky grooves, rocking blues and R&B with his raw power as a vocalist and entertainer. Sugaray is a force. From Smith County, Texas, he sang for The Mannish Boys in 2011, then two years later starred in a noted musical, and released a solo album with guests Kim Wilson, Kid Andersen, and Sugar Ray Norcia. That jumpstarted his career and in 2019 and 2020 he was awarded the BMA “Soul Blues Artist of the Year.”

Next up, “Invisible Solder” from Rayford’s ‘In Too Deep’ album. About his struggle with insomnia because of PTSD (he was a ten-year marine), the song reminds us that cities are full of veterans who still deal with the after-effects of war.

Slowing things down a bit, Rayford and the band played the slinky R&B number “No Limit To My Love” from ‘In Too Deep’. This tune showcased his voice, full bodied and soulful, rich with texture and tone. Still with great groove, the horns rode the rhythm as Rayford danced on stage.

One of my favorite songs came next “Run For Cover” from Rayford’s ‘Human Decency’ record, a song that’s an upbeat blend of rock n’ roll, soul, and R&B but with a modern twist. It’s one of Rayford and Corne’s more insightful and poetic songs about the human condition that casts an eye on the state of the world. Catchy rhythms, guitar, and horns and a fabulous drummer, this song caught fire. One of the best of the night.

The crowd clapped, hollered, and whistled. After Sugaray’s shoutout to Eric Corne in the audience, he said, “Everything we write is about bringing people together.” And he and the band launched into “Human Decency.” A slower blues tune with a gospel feel, complete with backup singing from Drake and Avila. It was at this point that I realized Sugaray has perfect pitch. I didn’t hear a bad note the whole night. The rhythm section was tight, and Avila peeled off a ripping guitar solo.

Sugaray warned us that he might “get loose” because he’d been on a 30-day string of nightly shows. Between songs from B.B. King, Little Milton and his funky original “I’d Kill For You, Honey,” Sugaray got raunchy. And he got a kick out of crossing the line.

Joey Delgado of The Delgado Brothers joined in for a couple of songs, his guitar playing tasteful and gripping. Then the legendary guitarist from the Albert Collins band, Debbie Davies, took a solo or two. The crowd went wild. As she stepped off the stage, she turned back to Sugaray and his band and shouted, “You guys are extraordinary!” We all agreed.

Watch “Who Is He (And What Is He To You)”