By JOHN DALY
GRAMMY-nominated blues great Caron “Sugaray” Rayford will take his talents to The Mint stage in Los Angeles for New Year’s Eve, this Tuesday night.
Presented by KJAZZ, Sugaray Rayford at The Mint is a rare chance to check out the legendary blues man up close. He’s nominated for a GRAMMY this year in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category.
The Mint is a popular West LA venue that offers an intimate alternative for New Year’s Eve. It is located on Pico Blvd. and the cross street is Crescent Heights.
Sugaray’s GRAMMY-nominated album is Somebody Save Me. Sugaray is among formidable nominees including Gary Clark Jr. and Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
Sugaray is a Texas-born musician, who got his start at the age of 7 singing and playing drums in church. Sugaray had a big gospel influence growing up and that has carried over to his sound today.
Rayford is known for his emotive and trademark voice as well as his intimate and conversational lyrics. His songs tell stories of his experience with hardship, loss and poverty. His childhood was marked by the death of his mother, who raised Sugaray and his brothers alone. When his mother died his life changed.
“We moved in with my grandmother and our lives were a lot better,” Sugaray said. “We ate every day and we were in church every day, which I loved. I grew up in gospel and soul.”
When Sugaray takes the stage, he dominates. His voice is as big as he is. And it’s a voice that conjures nostalgia with a throwback feel in style to Muddy Waters, Teddy Pendergrass and Otis Redding.
Opening for Sugaray are The Real Stills, a soul-rhythm and blues band from Los Angeles. Mike Moody is lead singer and guitarist is Andy Vimar and the two blend together the sounds from their cities of Detroit and Vancouver.
General Admission: $35
Day-Of General Admission: $45
Tickets are available here
VIP Upgrade (GA must be purchased as well): $75
Doors at 8 p.m. music at 9 p.m.
For more information go to TheMintLA.com
The Mint is located at 6010 Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, Calif. 90035
