Rachelle Ferrell
Encyclopedia
Rachelle Ferrell is an American
singer and musician
. 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.
, as stated in an editorial review in which she references her highest notes in "It only took a minute" as "Minnie Riperton-like wailing". She received classical training in violin
at an early age and by the time she was a teen, she was able to play the piano
at a professional level. She enrolled in Berklee College of Music
in Boston
where she honed her musical abilities in arrangement, singing and songwriting.
From 1975-90, Ferrell sang backup for Lou Rawls
, Patti LaBelle
, Vanessa Williams
, and George Duke
. Ferrell's debut, First Instrument, was released in 1990 in Japan, five years prior to its US release. Recorded with bassist Tyrone Brown, pianist Eddie Green and drummer Doug Nally, an all-star cast of accompanists also leave their mark on her record. They include trumpeter Terence Blanchard
, pianists Gil Goldstein
and Michel Petrucciani
, bassists Kenny Davis and Stanley Clarke
, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter
and keyboardist Pete Levin. Her unique take on now-standards like Sam Cooke
's "You Send Me", Cole Porter
's "What Is This Thing Called Love", and Rodgers & Hart's "My Funny Valentine", captured the hearts and souls of the Japanese jazz buying public.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. Although she has had some success in the mainstream
Mainstream
Mainstream is, generally, the common current thought of the majority. However, the mainstream is far from cohesive; rather the concept is often considered a cultural construct....
R&B, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
, and classical music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
scene, she is most noted for her talents as a contemporary jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
singer.
Biography
Rachelle Ferrell began singing at the age of six, which many speculate contributed to the "development of her startling six and change octave range." Her range also includes the ability to sing in the whistle registerWhistle register
The whistle register is the highest register of the human voice, lying above the modal register and falsetto register...
, as stated in an editorial review in which she references her highest notes in "It only took a minute" as "Minnie Riperton-like wailing". She received classical training in violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
at an early age and by the time she was a teen, she was able to play the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at a professional level. She enrolled in Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
where she honed her musical abilities in arrangement, singing and songwriting.
From 1975-90, Ferrell sang backup for Lou Rawls
Lou Rawls
Louis Allen "Lou" Rawls was an American soul, jazz, and blues singer. He was known for his smooth vocal style: Frank Sinatra once said that Rawls had "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game"...
, Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
, Vanessa Williams
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
, and George Duke
George Duke
George Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music...
. Ferrell's debut, First Instrument, was released in 1990 in Japan, five years prior to its US release. Recorded with bassist Tyrone Brown, pianist Eddie Green and drummer Doug Nally, an all-star cast of accompanists also leave their mark on her record. They include trumpeter Terence Blanchard
Terence Blanchard
Terence Oliver Blanchard is an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, arranger, and film score composer. Since he emerged on the scene in 1980 with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and then shortly thereafter with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Blanchard has been a leading artist in jazz...
, pianists Gil Goldstein
Gil Goldstein
Gil Goldstein is American jazz pianist and synthesizer player who started on the accordion.He began studying accordion at age 5, but later moved on to cello and piano. He studied at the Berklee College of Music and by 1973 was working with Pat Martino, Lee Konitz, and others. He started with the...
and Michel Petrucciani
Michel Petrucciani
Michel Petrucciani was a French jazz pianist.-Biography:...
, bassists Kenny Davis and Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter
Wayne Shorter
Wayne Shorter is an American jazz saxophonist and composer.He is generally acknowledged to be jazz's greatest living composer, and many of his compositions have become standards...
and keyboardist Pete Levin. Her unique take on now-standards like Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
's "You Send Me", Cole Porter
Cole Porter
Cole Albert Porter was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre...
's "What Is This Thing Called Love", and Rodgers & Hart's "My Funny Valentine", captured the hearts and souls of the Japanese jazz buying public.
Discography
| Year | Title | Genre | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Live at Montreux 91-97 [Live] | Jazz | Blue Note |
| 2000 | Individuality (Can I Be Me?) | R&B, Gospel, and Jazz | Capitol |
| 1994 | Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This, w/Will Downing | R&B, Pop | Capitol |
| 1993 | Welcome to My Love | R&B, Pop | Capitol |
| 1992 | Rachelle Ferrell | Jazz/Contemporary | Capitol/EMI |
| 1992 | Til You Come Back to Me | Jazz/Contemporary | Capitol |
| 1990 | Somethin' Else | Jazz/Contemporary | Blue Note |
| 1990 | First Instrument | Jazz/Contemporary | EMI (Japan) Blue Note (1995) |