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Silvan Joray

Silvan Joray is a Swiss jazz guitarist and composer currently based in New York City. He has gained recognition in the jazz community, having won special prizes at the UNISA International Strings Competition in South Africa 2022 and the Smietana Jazz Guitar Competition 2019 in Poland. He has performed at prestigious jazz festivals including the Krakow Summer Jazz Festival, Offbeat Jazzfestival Basel, and International Jazz Festival Bern, and has toured in Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Israel.

Joray grew up in a musical family and began his formal training on the classical guitar, which he studied for eight years before discovering jazz and switching to the electric guitar. He was initially interested in playing jazz standards and influenced by guitarists such as Wes Montgomery. However, his studies with renowned jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel at Jazzcampus Basel broadened his musical horizons, inspiring him to compose his own music. This eventually led to the release of his debut album "Cluster" in 2020, which was produced by Muthspiel and co-produced by Swiss Radio SRF2.

Joray's latest album, "Updraft" features a stellar rhythm section with Jeff Ballard on drums and Nadav Erlich on bass. It showcases his forward-thinking original style characterized by a transparent tone, crispy articulation, creative rhythmic ideas and extended techniques like quarter tones and „tapping“ which are not traditionally associated with jazz guitar playing. Joray embraces both the openness of European as well as the rootedness and swing of American jazz. Updraft has gained critical acclaim across the world, including the New York City Jazz Record and Jazzwise (UK) who described him as „one of the most exciting young jazz guitarists on the international scene.”

Renowned jazz bassist Larry Grenadier states: „Silvan along with Nadav and Jeff have made a musical statement together that has at its core a sense of history and at the same time moves the music towards the future with bold playing and fresh compositions. Sonically beautiful and captivating music.“

Awards

* Special Prize at UNISA International Strings Competition 2022 in South Africa

* sponsorship prize for music by the Kanton of Solothurn 2020

* Special Prize at Jarek Smietana International Jazz Guitar Competition 2019

* 3rd Prize at 7 Virtual Jazz Club Under 25 Competition 2018

Perceptions Trio: The Wicked Crew

Read "The Wicked Crew" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
March 23, 2025

It is a dark and spooky experience indeed to hear Perception Trio's The Wicked Crew for the first time. But the ethereal sensations grow rather than dissipate with repeated listenings, making for an all-encompassing, lasting impression. What may be most miraculous about the passage of this fifty-three minutes is the light touch each of these players display throughout. And it is not just the gentility with which each man approaches his respective instrument, but the delicacy with which ...

Album Review

Perceptions Trio: The Wicked Crew

Read "The Wicked Crew" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
February 24, 2025

If it is decided that the unadorned saxophone could use some enhancements, pedals can be plugged in to bring electricity and “effects" to the mix. Then add an electric guitar (with effects), and an acoustic drummer setting up the grooves, and you have the Perceptions Trio, with their album The Wicked Crew. Charley Rose wields the juiced-up sax, Silvan Joray adds neon colorations with his very electric guitar and Paulo Almeida rounds things out in the drummer's chair, ...

„Deft and tasteful, […] always with a sure sense of where he’s landed, and how to go on and develop his ideas.“ – The New York City Jazz Record (USA)

"Joray has become one of the most exciting young jazz guitarists on the international jazz scene. His unique style encompasses both the blues-inflected swing of American jazz with the sophisticated compositions and open harmonies of European jazz. From the first until the last tune, he displayed an impressive lightness of touch and precision as an improviser – yet he always retained that exciting element of spontaneity.“ – Jazzwise (UK)

„Deft and tasteful, […] always with a sure sense of where he’s landed, and how to go on and develop his ideas.“ – The New York City Jazz Record (USA)

„[…] a spectacular new trio album. Joray plays with enormous inventiveness and a keen sense of stylish abstraction. – Marc Myers (JazzWax, USA)

„It’s rare to hear a jazz combo that is simultaneously so sonically forward-thinking and so deeply rooted in the verities. For all jazz collections.“ – CD Hotlist (USA)

„More versatile than a Swiss army knife, as precise as a Schaffhausen watch, and as crystal clear as alpine air.“ – JazzMa (Hungary)

„A bold fusion of European lyricism and jazz tradition that sounds natural. One of the most satisfying guitar albums of the year.“ – Dark Blue Notes (Turkey)

„Joray’s innate talent for melody and lyricism shines through in both his playing and compositions, leaving listeners enriched and eager for more of his captivating musical stories.“ – Jazz in Europe

„[…] a great journey of discovery through a fascinating musical universe. What a grandiose debut!“ – Guitar Acoustic (5★) (DE)

„[…] a great talent that has found its way into the public eye.“ – Jazzthing

„With his extremely creative way of playing the jazz guitar, he causes a sensation. His soloistic skills inspire – [...] almost mystical instrumental music.“ – HIFI-Stars (DE)

„[…] emotional and thoughtful at the same time. […] Very successful!“ – Concerto (AT)

«Silvan is one of those young musicians that you know from the beginning: he will be doing good things simply because he’s talented, a hard worker and a good composer. The world needs to hear him…» Lionel Loueke

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