My Voice Laura Chavez

• 1 Born On The Bayou 03:41
• 2 Mind Your Step 04:17
• 3 Shot-Zee 03:31
• 4 Wanderer 04:14
• 5 El Cascabel 03:25
• 6 So Long Baby, Goodbye 02:53
• 7 Chinese Checkers 03:01
• 8 Mamba Negra 04:32
• 9 Napa Street 04:24
• 10 La Llorona 04:06
• Total Runtime 38:04

Info for My Voice

Ruf Records is proud to announce the release of My Voice, the long-awaited debut solo album from acclaimed American blues, soul, and rhythm & blues guitarist, songwriter, and producer Laura Chavez. Arriving in January 2026, My Voice captures one of the most respected guitar voices in modern blues stepping forward with a project that is both deeply personal and musically expansive. The album is fully instrumental—because for Laura Chavez, the guitar is her voice.

Widely celebrated for her fiery technique, emotional depth, and unmistakable tone, Chavez has spent years shaping contemporary blues through her collaborations with such artists as Deborah Coleman, Nikki Hill, Candye Kane, Dani Wilde, The Mannish Boys, Mike Ledbetter, Monster Mike Welch, Vanessa Collier, Casey Hensley, and Whitney Shay. Rooted in the Texas and Chicago blues traditions while embracing both classic and modern influences, her playing has earned her multiple nominations for Instrumentalist – Guitar at the Blues Music Awards, ultimately winning the category in 2023 – making her the first and only woman to ever receive this prestigious honor.

With My Voice, Chavez presents a compelling collection of instrumental performances—originals and re-imagined classics—that reflect her musical heritage, personal history, and the diverse influences that have shaped her career. Through each track, her guitar speaks with clarity, emotion, and storytelling power, making lyrics unnecessary.

Among the standout moments is “Born On The Bayou,” a powerful tribute to her father. “I did this song for my Dad. He is a huge CCR fan and would play the tape all the time in the car. I wanted to do it uptempo and driving—completely the opposite of most of what CCR is known for—but I knew the guitar part and melody were so iconic everyone would instantly recognize it.” Another highlight is “So Long Baby, Goodbye,” Chavez’s homage to her California roots and its unique blend of musical cultures. “This song is my tribute to my home state of California and its one-of-a-kind Roots/Rock & Roll scene that has influenced me in almost everything I’ve done… The Blasters epitomized this melting pot and even hired one of my all-time favorite guitarists, Hollywood Fats, to add to their highly charged, R&B-infused Rock and Roll sound.”

On “El Cascabel,” Chavez honors her Mexican heritage and the cultural richness of life near the border. “I live in San Diego, 15 minutes from the Mexican border, and it is easy to be immersed in Mexican culture and tradition… This is a Mariachi standard and has always been one of my favorites. I wanted to see how we could arrange something like that for a Blues and Rock band, drawing influence from groups like Los Lobos, another of my all-time favorites.”

Her love of soul-driven instrumental music shines through on “Chinese Checkers.” “Initially I wanted the covers to all be songs where the original versions had vocals, while my originals were intended to be instrumentals. But no one epitomizes popular soul and R&B instrumental music more than Booker T & the MGs… I thought it would be cool to flip it—play Booker T’s parts on the guitar and let the keys do something else. Plus, it was just fun to do.”

A haunting emotional peak arrives with “La Llorona,” inspired by Mexican folklore and created at the insistence of label founder Thomas Ruf. “He insisted there be a slow blues. I really wanted to focus on songs that weren’t only vehicles for guitar solos and didn’t know how to do it without vocals… This was around Día de Los Muertos, and when I heard this song again, I thought maybe I could do it as a slow blues, perhaps in the style of Peter Green.” The melody and myth behind the song deeply resonated with her: “The story of La Llorona is dark and so is the music, but also beautiful and haunting, with a mournful melody that I thought could work in this context.”

My Voice is more than an album title—it is a declaration. After years of elevating the music of others, Laura Chavez presents her own story using the instrument that has always spoken for her. Raw, expressive, and deeply human, her debut solo album reveals a guitarist in full command of her craft and ready to be heard—without ever saying a word.

Laura Chavez, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums
Léa Worms, organ, piano
Tomek Germann, bass
Marty Dodson, drums
Denis Palatin, drums
Antonio Econom, percussion

Laura Chavez
American Blues artist Laura Chavez is a vibrant and fascinating performer. She is a well-known character in the area of Contemporary Blues because, despite having the Blues as her primary genre, she gives it a modern spin. Chavez's deep guitar playing and moving vocals are evidence of her prodigious talent and dedication to her field.



Because of her passionate tone and skillful execution, her music strikes a deep chord with listeners and elicits a wide spectrum of emotions. Chavez stands out from her colleagues by skillfully fusing traditional Blues elements with contemporary influences to produce a sound that is all her own. She delivers stunning solos on the guitar that take the audience on a surreal journey and send shivers down their spines.



Chavez gives her all throughout her live performances, which are nothing short of amazing. Her charismatic theatrical presence captivates the audience and leaves them wanting more. It's no surprise that she has a passionate fan base given her contagious energy and unquestionable talent.



Laura Chavez stands out as a tremendous force in the field of contemporary blues music. She is a force to be reckoned with thanks to her extraordinary guitar talents and ability to infuse her music with deep emotion. Chavez's love for the Blues comes through in all of her performances and studio recordings, making her a true treasure in the world of modern music.

Booklet for My Voice