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 63) Berwyn, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | rachelleferrell |
Rachelle Ferrell (born May 21, 1961) is an American vocalist and musician.[1] Although she has had some success in the mainstreamR&B,pop,gospel andclassical music scenes, she is noted for her talents as acontemporary jazz singer. In contemporary jazz she is noted for her delivery, control, range, improvisational vocal percussion, scatting ability and access to thewhistle register.
Ferrell began singing at age six.[1][2] She also received classical training in violin and the piano at an early age. During her teenagehood, she was performing as a professional musician. She began performing at age 13 as a violinist, and in her mid-teens as a pianist and vocalist. After enrolling in theBerklee College of Music, she graduated a year later and secured a position teaching music for theNew Jersey State Council on the Arts.[1]
From 1975 to 1990, Ferrell sang backup forLou Rawls,Patti LaBelle, andVanessa Williams. In 1988, she began touring as a backup vocalist forPhyllis Hyman. In the same year, she also appeared as backup vocalist onMiles Jaye's song "Desiree".
In 1989, Ferrell secured her own recording contract withCapitol Records. In 1990, Ferrell released her first album,First Instrument, exclusively in Japan. The album containedcover versions ofjazz standards.[3]
In September 1992, she released her second albumRachelle Ferrell. The album spawned the singles "Til You Come Back to Me", "Welcome to My Love", "Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This", and "With Open Arms". The album received agold-statusmusic recording certification.[4] In the same year, she appeared onGeorge Duke's albumSnapshot. In 1993, Ferrell headlined her own tour and performed several jazz festivals. In 1995, Ferrell released her albumFirst Instrument in the USA.
From 1995 to 1997, Ferrell toured as part of the George Duke Band. The group released a concert film titledLive at Montreux, which highlighted their concert set during theMontreux Jazz Festival in 1997. Ferrell also appeared as a backing vocalist on his albumsIllusions (1995) andIs Love Enough? (1997).
In August 2000, Ferrell released third albumIndividuality (Can I Be Me?). The album peaked at number 1 onBillboard'sTop Jazz Albums chart and sold over 160,000 copies.[5] The album's singles "I Forgive You" and "Satisfied" both charted in the top twenty on theAdult R&B Songs chart. In 2001, Ferrell headlined her own tour to support the album. In April 2002, she released her live albumLive in Montreux 91–97.
In 2006, Ferrell released a song titled "Wounds in the Way" on theMadea's Family Reunionsoundtrack. In 2008, she appeared George Duke'sDukey Treats album. In 2014, Ferrell performed at the Capital Jazz Festival. In 2018, she performed during thePhyllis Hyman tribute at the Capital Jazz Festival. Ferrell also confirmed that she was recording her forthcoming albumThe Art and Soul of Rachelle Ferrell.
Ferrell has a sixoctavevocal range.[1][2][6] Her range also includes the ability to sing and enunciate in thewhistle register.[2] Ferrell's highest notes in "It Only Took A Minute" (1992) have been described as "Minnie Riperton-like wailing."[2][7]
In 1992, Ferrell filed a lawsuit against a production company, which was settled out of court in 2000.[5]
In August 2023, Ferrell's management and website released a statement that Ferrell was experiencing "health, wellness, and life-related hardships".[8]
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Pop [9] | US R&B/HH [10] | US Jazz [11] | US Traditional Jazz [12] | US Heat [13] | |||
| 1990 | First Instrument
| 151 | — | 3 | — | — | |
| 1992 | Rachelle Ferrell
| 161 | 25 | — | — | 4 | |
| 2000 | Individuality (Can I Be Me?)
| 71 | 16 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2002 | Live in Montreux 91–97
| — | — | 26 | 8 | — | |
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B/HH | US R&B/HH Airplay | USAC | US Adult R&B | |||
| 1992 | "'Til You Come Back to Me" | 19 | 45 | — | — | Rachelle Ferrell |
| 1993 | "Welcome To My Love" | 42 | 41 | 25 | — | |
| "Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This"(featuringWill Downing) | 72 | 72 | — | 25 | ||
| 1994 | "With Open Arms" | 68 | 61 | — | — | |
| 2000 | "Satisfied" | — | — | — | 11 | Individuality (Can I Be Me?) |
| "I Forgive You" | — | — | — | 13 | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
