Sugaray Rayford is a man with a message, a larger-than-life personality, and a voice to deliver it. Working with producer and songwriter Eric Corne, the soul-blues powerhouse has crafted an incendiary sound and narrative, contributing to an exciting new chapter in American soul music. 

It's a sound that combines classic soul melodies and funky R&B grooves with raw blues power. The pair's first collaboration, Somebody Save Me, earned Rayford a 2020 Grammy nomination. Later that year, he won Blues Music Awards for 'Soul Blues Male Artist' and 'B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.' Rayford's follow-up, 2022's In Too Deep, won many awards, including the Blues Music Award for 'Soul Blues Album of the Year'. 

On June 14th, 2024, Forty Below Records will release Human Decency. The title track is a simple reminder that our similarities are more substantial than our differences, and in the end, there is no black or white or left or right; there are only hearts and minds. 

The introduction to Human Decency is the leadoff single, "Run For Cover," a song that takes no prisoners. Q Magazine declares, "The bluesy soul of Rayford comes on full steam with this powerhouse single." 

The album opener, "Failing Upwards," is a song that challenges the notion of American meritocracy, "Failing upwards in an empty suit/With your rhinestone-covered boots/Time to pull your golden parachute before you're found out in cahoots." Angels and devils all show up in these songs and eat at the same table.

"We're calling people on their bullshit, but we're having fun with them. That's my way. I'm gonna tell it to you straight but with love in my heart. I always bring some suga with the salt!" says Sugaray, bellowing with laughter.

"Stuck Between" is about staying grounded in the modern world and features longtime Forty Below label mate Sam Morrow sharing vocals. While "Dirty Rat" points to style over substance in a post-truth world where, increasingly, con men seem to rule the day. 

"Ain't That A Man" has roots in Sam & Dave and Muddy Waters, playing off the "Mannish Boy" lyric but using self-deprecating humor instead of bravado to depict a man who "always needs to be the winner" and is often "swimming up river" to try and get there.

The closing track, "Aha," is Sugaray's story about how he lost his mother at a young age and was raised in the country by his grandmother. "She taught about right and wrong and how in life you often have to look "the devil" in the eye and tell him "Aha," I see you, and I know what you're up to.”

An all-star cast lent their talents to the album. Performing are guitarist Rick Holmstrom and singer Saundra Williams, who are both from Mavis Staples's band, along with drummer Matt Tecu (Jakob Dylan), bassist Taras Prodaniuk (Lucinda Williams), guitarist Eamon Ryand (Happy Mondays), keyboardists Sasha Smith (Sam Beam) and Drake "Munkihaid" Shining (Deep Purple), trumpeter Mark Pender (Bruce Springsteen), saxophonist Joe Sublett (B.B. King), flutist Dan Kaneyuki (Goo Goo Dolls) and Corne who chips in with harmonies and a variety of instruments.

At his core, Sugaray Rayford is a unifying force. His live shows are a party. Some conversations may be had, and some self-reflection may occur, but at the end of the day, people feel a sense of joy and togetherness; this shines through on the album's closer, the slinky, funky "United We Stand." As the album fades, Rayford takes us home with concert banter and good vibes, a lingering feeling tempting the listener to hit play again.

After finding some early success with the award-winning group, The Mannish Boys, Rayford struck out on his own with Blind Alley. In 2017, The World That We Live In helped Rayford break through to the upper echelon of the blues world while also informing the soul community that he had arrived. Since joining Forty Below Records, Rayford's sound has continued to evolve in compelling ways.

Born in Tyler, Texas, Sugaray Rayford's early years were full of turmoil. His mother struggled to raise three boys alone while battling cancer. "She suffered, and we suffered,' Rayford says. "Then, we moved in with my grandmother, and our lives improved. We ate every day and went to church daily, which I loved. I was raised on Gospel and soul."

Rayford began his musical career at the tender age of seven, singing and playing drums in church, and his Gospel influences shine through in his music. The soulful rasp and expressive vocal style hint at his first-hand experience with hardship and a childhood marked by poverty and loss. As an African American youth growing up in poverty, Rayford saw the military as a path out, serving ten years in the Marines. Today, he is as comfortable using his voice to deliver songs with a message as he is singing about love. "I believe in social justice and want that to be a focus in the music, but I also like to have a good time. The light and the shade, baby!" says Rayford.

"Think back to, say, the golden days of Chess Records and people like Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters; then factor in the sound of classic soul men like Solomon Burke, Curtis Mayfield, and big-voiced icons like Teddy Pendergrass, and you're getting close to Rayford's sound. Float that over authentic soul backing like Daptone and Stax, and you're getting near to the sound of 'Somebody Save Me.'" - Soul, Jazz, and Funk.

"Eric and I are both lifelong fans of classic soul and blues, but we also like to push the envelope," states Rayford. "We want to build on the music, not be a pastiche of classic styles," adds Corne.

In the studio and in person, Sugaray Rayford has developed a reputation as a force to be reckoned with and an artist to watch in the coming years. So, "Sit back and listen to one of today's best blues-soul singers. Even better, attend one of his live performances where his energy can galvanize an audience" - Elmore Magazine.

Sugaray's Story

Texas born Caron “Sugaray” Rayford began his musical career at the age of 7 singing & playing drums in church, and his gospel influence can be heard and felt in his music. Rayford's phrasing is intimate and conversational and the soulful gravel in his voice hints at his firsthand experience with hardship.

Hard times in Texas

He grew up in Texas, his childhood marked by poverty and loss. He remembered a sad game he played with his brothers, a competition that determined who was skinniest by counting the number of belt holes left unused. His mother struggled to raise three boys alone while battling cancer. When she died, it was a kind of relief. "She suffered and we suffered," Rayford said. "Then, we moved in with my grandmother and our lives were a lot better. We ate every day and we were in church every day, which I loved. I grew up in gospel and soul.”

The San Diego Days

His switch to contemporary music began about 15 years ago in the San Diego area, where he sang lead vocals with a R&B/Funk band called Urban Gypsys. With this band he had the privilege of sharing the stage with many notable artists such as The Average White Band, Dennis Quaid, Joe Luis Walker, Kal David, Super Diamond & Venice, to name a few.

Turn to the blues - Aunt Kizzy's Boyz

After dabbling in blues, Suga realized that the blues was where his heart and soul belonged. So after some soul searching he left the Urban Gypsys and became lead vocalist for Aunt Kizzy’z Boyz, a Temecula area blues band. Shortly after joining the band in 2004, they released their first CD “Trunk Full of Bluez”. This band was hungry and did over 200 gigs a year over the next few years and their popularity rose exponentially.

Aunt Kizzy’z Boyz represented San Diego (Blues Lovers United San Diego) in Memphis Tennessee January 26th- 28th, 2006 at the International Blues Challenge (IBC), and brought home the 2nd place prize. The band began playing higher profile gigs and in 2007 released their 2nd CD “It’s Tight Like That”. In September 2008, the Boyz won the LAMN Jam Grand Slam Urban Artist of the Year title by a landslide; they beat out hundreds of competitors.

The band was offered a distribution deal on the spot by RBC Records. Tabitha Berg wrote, “The band’s most valuable ingredient is that of the band’s dynamic front man Sugaray, he knows how to read and work a room. While most artists simply perform, exceptional artists are responsive to the mood of the crowd. The energy shifted when AKB took the stage, and they had the crowd on its feet within seconds.”

Los Angeles - home sweet home

After moving to Los Angeles several years ago, Sugaray was asked to host a blues jam at Cozy’s in Sherman Oaks. It is through this venue that Sugaray met and played with innumerable world-class musicians. Suga’s desire to explore and expand his musical vision has been nourished by these musicians. His solo career has flourished in LA.

Mannish Boys

May 2011, Sugaray became one of the lead vocalists for the Mannish Boys, who were under Delta Groove management. He sang lead vocals on 9 songs on Double Dynamite the Mannish Boys CD that won Best Traditional Blues Album in May 2013 at the Blues Music Awards.

Solo Career

His first solo CD Blind Alley was a self-release in 2010, which garnered critical acclaim. His second solo CD Dangerous, was released on 9/17/2013 under the Delta Groove label and debuted at # 2 on Blues Debut Chart, #6 on the Roots Music Chart and #2 on The Living Blues Chart. Supporting Sugaray were guest performers including Kim Wilson, Kid Andersen, and Sugar Ray Norcia. In October 2013, Rayford toured with Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes.

At the 36th Blues Music Awards, Rayford was nominated in two categories; B.B. King Entertainer and Traditional Blues Male Artist.

On May 19, 2015, Rayford released Southside. It featured a guest appearance by Bob Corritore on harmonica.

On September 1, 2017, Rayford released The World That We Live In.

On January 9, 2018, Rayford was nominated for four Blues Music Awards for the 39th annual Blues Music Awards. These included 'Soul Blues Album', for The World That We Live In, plus 'Soul Blues Male Artist', 'Instrumentalist - Vocals', and 'B.B. King Entertainer'.

At the 40th Blues Music Awards in 2019, Rayford was named as 'Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year'.

Rayford's latest album, Somebody Save Me, was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category.

At the Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards in 2019, Sugaray Rayford won National Recording of the Year for Somebody Save Me and Performance of the Year for his performance at the Waterfront Blues Festival.

The Sugaray Rayford Band won “Best Blues Band” for the 2019 Blues Blast Music Awards.

At the 41st Blues Music Awards in May 2020, Rayford was presented with two Blues Music Awards for 'B.B King Entertainer of the Year' and 'Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year'.

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He has done studio vocals on several projects, such as the theme for Judge Joe Brown, the movie trailer City Lights, a couple of songs on Person of Interest and many other projects. 

May 2012 he made his stage debut starring in the Tony award winning play “Ain’t Nuthin’ But The Blues” at the Portland Center Stage in Portland Oregon. He joined members of the New York Broadway cast playing the part previously played by the late Ron Taylor. It had a 6-week run where every show ended with a standing ovation.

He also starred with Felicia Fields and Chic Streetman in the play "Low Down Dirty Blues" that ran in Milwaukee and Cincinnati in 2015. It was a great success in both cities. Suga hopes to have the opportunity to perform on stage in the future.