Avery Raquel: A new sound for an old style
16-year-old musician is bringing soul to a wide audience
I sometimes worry about how traditional art forms will fare in the hands of our tech-centric youth, but amid social media scandals and hyperdigitized entertainment, Brantfordbased jazz, RnB and soul musician Avery Raquel reminds me that true artistry knows no age.
At 16, Raquel has just released her third album, “My Heart Away,” with producer and manager Greg Kavanagh. A little more soul than her earlier, jazzier work, the tracks are smooth and fresh, like cucumber water for your ears. I’m telling you straight up: it’s darn good. But, the greatest appeal of Raquel’s music, for me — an old soul who shops vintage and refuses to read ebooks — is the youthful celebration of an old-school genre.
Her current style is what Raquel refers to as contemporary soul, which she describes as “a new take on a vintage sound.” Basically, take soul music and dust it off to uncover a shinier, more modern version that’s palatable to a wide audience.
I wouldn’t say that I’m easily impressed when it comes to creative ability. I’ve been heavily focused on the arts since childhood, and grew up around painters, writers and musicians. The majority of my relatives practise an art form, whether professionally or as a hobby. I was brought up to see art as an integral part of life, and I believe that regardless of talent, engaging in the arts is good for the mind and soul. However, let me be clear: there are few things I love more than meeting an authentic, born-tobe artist with raw creative ability.
Raquel impressed me with her talent, but her brand is so much more than well-trained vocals. The maturity and humility with which she spoke on her musical education, her creative intentions and her career prospects were reminders to me that
regardless of trends, every generation produces a few with not only the aptitude, but the passion to keep antiquated art forms alive.
“I really want to try to bring back real instruments,” she says, “(and an) old-school vibe to what we listen to.” She notes that what we call pop music is just what’s popular at any given time. Soul music could be popular — the key is to deliver it from a fresh perspective, which she does, and on a CD designed to look like a miniature vinyl record, no less.
Unfortunately, despite our society’s fixation on youth, it’s difficult to be taken seriously as a professional at her age. This is nothing new— remember young entrepreneur Lucas Gordon — but unlike business, music, like any art, is not generally well supported as a career direction for young people.
But, thanks to solid familial and professional support systems, Raquel is finally preparing for her first album release party at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, where she will perform
an hour-long set on June 25. Based on her age, you may not think it’s been a long time coming, but given that she began singing the songs from “Annie” at age 4, this is truly the result of a lifelong pursuit.
“I don’t know what I would do without music,” she says.
I can relate. I don’t know what I would do without literature.
I don’t think enough kids get to grow up without a backup plan, and Raquel is a perfect example of why they should. Her story thus far is one of success, but she says she knows other teenaged singer-songwriters who aren’t being pushed to pursue their passions, which is a loss for us all.
With Avery Raquel, the kids just might be all right.