Rachelle Ferrell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rachelle Ferrell
Ferrell in a performance on June 6, 2011
Background information
Birth name	Rachelle Stephanie Ferrell
Born	(1961-05-21) May 21, 1961 (age 64) Berwyn, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	R&B pop rock jazz fusion neo soul pop classical
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter record producer pianist
Instruments	Vocals piano guitar
Years active	1974–present
Labels	Capitol Blue Note

Rachelle Ferrell (born May 21, 1961) is an American singer and musician. She is well-known for her amazing talent as a contemporary jazz singer. Rachelle is admired for her strong voice, wide vocal range, and ability to improvise with her voice. She can even sing in a very high "whistle register" like a whistle! She has also had success in R&B, pop, gospel, and classical music.

Early Life and Music Journey

Rachelle Ferrell started singing when she was only six years old. She also learned to play the violin and piano from a young age. By the time she was a teenager, she was already performing as a professional musician. She began playing the violin at 13. In her mid-teens, she started performing as a pianist and singer.

After studying at the Berklee College of Music, she quickly got a job teaching music. This was for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Music Career Highlights

Starting as a Backup Singer (1975–1988)

From 1975 to 1990, Rachelle Ferrell sang backup for famous artists. These included Lou Rawls, Patti LaBelle, and Vanessa Williams. In 1988, she toured as a backup singer for Phyllis Hyman. She also sang backup on Miles Jaye's song "Desiree" that same year.

First Albums and Tours (1989–1997)

In 1989, Rachelle Ferrell signed her own recording contract with Capitol Records. Her first album, First Instrument, came out in Japan in 1990. This album featured her own versions of classic jazz standards.

In September 1992, she released her second album, Rachelle Ferrell. This album included popular songs like "Til You Come Back to Me" and "Welcome to My Love." The album was very successful and earned a gold award. In 1993, Ferrell started her own concert tour and performed at several jazz festivals. The album First Instrument was later released in the USA in 1995.

From 1995 to 1997, Ferrell toured with the George Duke Band. They even released a concert film called Live at Montreux. This film showed their performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1997.

New Music and Chart Success (2000–2002)

In August 2000, Ferrell released her third album, Individuality (Can I Be Me?). This album was a big hit! It reached number 1 on Billboard's Top Jazz Albums chart. It sold over 160,000 copies. Two songs from the album, "I Forgive You" and "Satisfied," were also very popular. In 2001, Ferrell went on tour to support this album. In April 2002, she released a live album called Live in Montreux 91–97.

Recent Performances (2006–Present)

In 2006, Rachelle Ferrell sang a song called "Wounds in the Way." It was part of the Madea's Family Reunion movie soundtrack. She also appeared on George Duke's Dukey Treats album in 2008.

In 2014, Ferrell performed at the Capital Jazz Festival. In 2018, she performed at a special tribute for Phyllis Hyman at the same festival. Rachelle Ferrell has also shared that she is working on a new album called The Art and Soul of Rachelle Ferrell.

Amazing Vocal Abilities

Rachelle Ferrell has an incredible vocal range of six octaves. This means she can sing extremely low and extremely high notes. She can even sing and make clear sounds in the very high "whistle register." Her highest notes in her 1992 song "It Only Took A Minute" have been compared to the amazing high notes of singer Minnie Riperton.

Personal Life

In 1992, Rachelle Ferrell was involved in a legal matter with a production company. This issue was resolved in 2000.

In August 2023, Rachelle Ferrell's team shared that she was going through some personal challenges.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Images for kids

• 

  Rachelle Ferrell performing in 2011

See also

In Spanish: Rachell Ferrell para niños