Tina Raymond is a unique voice in the contemporary extemporized music scene. The LA-based drummer, composer, bandleader, and educator is known for her ability to unify traditional jazz vocabulary, African polyrhythms, and classical percussion technique.

Raymond has rightly received much acclaim and recognition, including the DownBeat Educator Achievement Award (2020) Her contribution to music and teaching include a directorship of Jazz Studies at California State University Northridge and supportive roles at Los Angeles City College, The Herbie Hancock Institute, University of Michigan, Bard College, and Idyllwild Arts.

Divinations, her second record as a leader on Imani Records, is packed with colorful inundations of notes, riffs, and arresting bouts. Divinations is an exhibition of Raymond’s musical dexterity and responsiveness to original compositions inspired by tarot cards from various decks.

1. Swainson’s Hawk
2. Eight of Wands
3. the Emperor
4. the Lovers
5. Seven of Wands
6. Ace of Pentacles

The new recording opens on the fervency of rhythms within Swainson’s Hawk and the rhythmically melodious Eight of Wands and then we are brought forth the heavier toned, hazily enchanting the Emperor, the languishing The Lovers, the album rounding out on the playfully excitable Seven of Wands, coming to a close on the quietly ethereal, low key jazz number Ace of Pentacles.

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