“…her voice is eerily eloquent for its candid simplicity and undercutting of the coy blandness that affects so much female jazz singing”. John Fordham, The Guardian

Sylvia was born in Edinburgh in 1969 into what has been described as “the most influential dynasty on the contemporary Scottish jazz scene”. Her father, leading bassist Ronnie Rae, sisters Cathie and Gina (vocalists) and brothers John (drummer) and Ronnie Jr (pianist) are all active members of the UK jazz scene.

Sylvia took vocal tuition at school as well as clarinet, tenor horn and cornet and from the age of 12 performed in brass bands, school orchestras and the Waverley Singers Choir.

As a teenager she moved in with her father and his partner, top vocalist Fionna Duncan, who taught her 100’s of songs and gave her invaluable guidance in jazz singing. Forming an association with leading pianist Brian Kellock lasting 15 years, she began gigging with her own trio at the age of 19, following encouragement from Tam White with whom she performed at the Glasgow Jazz Festival.

Landing a 2 year residency at McCurdy’s Jazz Club in Leith, Sylvia worked with a wide variety of local and visiting musicians including Jack Duff, Spike Robinson, Julian Arguelles, Colin Steele and Tommy Smith.

In 1990 Sylvia met musician/producer/composer extraordinaire Jim Sutherland who formed a band around her voice in the form of 11-piece Someotherland. The band was a success and headlined at major Scottish festivals in Glasgow’s ‘Celtic Connections’ and at Glen Uig. They also collaborated on the music for Scottish TV documentaries.

She also worked at this period with Canadian folk legend Ian Rankin and alternative piper Martyn Bennett.

Sutherland and Sylvia (now 27) then formed The Lanterns who signed a 3 year deal with Sony Records and achieved major acclaim with performances on festivals, MTV, BBCTV and Radio and even reached number 2 in the Dance Track Charts.

In 2000 Sylvia turned her sights back to her jazz roots and released her debut CD on the pioneering Scottish label ‘Caber’ with the Kellock trio and guest Warren Vache. Since then, she has worked with Cathie and Gina as The Rae Sisters, recorded with Salsa Celtica and performed with Stoneflower, a jazz/folk/world music influenced band, besides showcase performances at London’s Pizza Express and UK festivals for Caber Music.

Sylvia can be contacted at Sylvia.singz@virgin.net or on 01442 218338.