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Born in the year 1961 in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, Rachelle Ferrell is an American musician and singer. Although she has had some success in the mainstream R&B, pop, gospel, and classical music scene, she is most noted for her talents as a contemporary jazz singer. Ferrell is a beginner on the contemporary jazz scene but on the pop/urban contemporary scene, she has made her presence felt and her jazz recordings have boosted the interest of many.
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About Rachelle Ferrell
Ferrell began singing at the young age of six years. It contributed to the “development of her startling six – and - change octave range.” She has the ability to reach the whistle register. This was stated in an editorial review and in which she gives references to her whistle note in “It only took a minute” as “Minnie Riperton-like wailing.” At an early age, she got classical training on the violin. Upon reaching her teens, she played the piano brilliantly at a professional level.
She enrolled herself in Berklee College of Music in Boston and there she sharpened her musical abilities in singing, arrangement and songwriting. Her classmates included Kevin Eubanks, Branford Marsalis, Jeff Watts and Donald Harrison. After graduating she taught music for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for sometime with Dizzy Gillespie.
From the years 1975 - 90, Ferrell sang backup songs for Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, George Duke and Vanessa Williams. In the year 1990 Ferrell's debut, “First Instrument” was released in Japan, which was five years prior to its U.S. release. It was recorded with bassist Tyrone Brown, drummer Doug Nally and pianist Eddie Green. An all - star cast of accompanists also left their mark on her record. They included pianists Gil Goldstein and Michel Petrucciani, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassists Kenny Davis and Stanley Clarke and keyboardist Pete Levin.
Her unique works like Sam Cooke's “You Send Me,” Rodgers & Hart's “My Funny Valentine” and Cole Porter's “What Is This Thing Called Love” won the hearts and souls of many Japanese jazz fans.
In the year 1992, on Capitol Records, her self - titled U.S. debut that was more of an urban pop/contemporary album was released. In the year 1995, Blue Note / Capitol released her Japanese debut for the U.S. audiences and the response was simply overwhelming.
Ferrell signed a unique two - label contract that included jazz music for Blue Note Records and urban contemporary and pop album for Capitol Records. In the early 90s, Ferrell performed at the Montreaux Jazz Festival for four consecutive years.
This multi talented vocalist also composes and writes songs on piano and the violin. Ferrell has proved her mantle. Her hard work has paid off and she has become a “major force” in the jazz circuit.
Her wonderful songwriting abilities, her ability to play the piano, only compliment her natural talent as a vocalist. Rachelle Ferrell has made her presence felt as a pianist and jazz singer. She also excels in urban contemporary pop, classical music, gospel and jazz.
In the year 2000, Rachelle came out with “Individuality (Can I Be Me?),” which was “more street” orientated.
