by Shawn Nowlin
Blues singers, especially those with an exceptional artistic vision, can shape worldviews through their art. Known for his technical proficiency, Sugaray Rayford has been a staple in the music scene for decades.
The blues singer has released seven studio albums to date. Following the release of Blind Alley, Rayford dropped Dangerous, Southside, The World That We Live In, Somebody Save Me, In Too Deep and Human Decency.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Shaftman Performance Hall in the Jefferson Center on Oct. 3 to experience Rayford and his band. The setlist also included several hits from his extensive discography, including “Gonna Lift You Up,” “How The Other Half Lives” and “Please Take My Hand.”
Just minutes into the show, it was abundantly clear that Rayford was trying to give attendees an experience they’d never forget.
The event was a perfect date night opportunity, something that Jason and Melissa Monroe did. “We knew that Sugaray was a talented musician…we had no idea how good a performer he was. A highlight for me came when he playfully went back and forth with my wife like they were childhood friends,” Jason said.
Explaining his upbringing, Rayford, born Caron Nimoy, said, “I was raised by my grandma. We called her ‘Big Mama,’ Black folks certainly know what that means. She’s ‘Big Mama’ because she’s your momma’s momma. My mother passed away when I was just two years old, and my grandma raised me. That’s why even though I’m just 21, I act like I’m 82.”
He added, “My grandma was the strongest, sweetest person I’ve ever met on this planet. She took three nappy-headed children from the ghetto
