Rachelle Ferrell (born May 21, 1961) is an American vocalist and musician.
Early life
Ferrell began singing at age six.
[ "Re: Rachelle Ferrell." www.rachelleferrell.com. Retrieved December 17, 2013.] 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 the Berklee College of Music, she graduated a year later and secured a position teaching music for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Career
1975–1988: Backup singing
From 1975 to 1990, Ferrell sang backup for
Lou Rawls,
Patti LaBelle, and
Vanessa Williams. In 1988, she began touring as a backup vocalist for
Phyllis Hyman. In the same year, she also appeared as backup vocalist on
Miles Jaye's song "Desiree".
1989–1997: First Instrument and Rachelle Ferrell
In 1989, Ferrell secured her own recording contract with
Capitol Records. In 1990, Ferrell released her first album,
First Instrument, exclusively in Japan. The album contained
of
.
[ Rachelle Ferrell at Blues Alley Jazz Supper Club]
In September 1992, she released her second album Rachelle 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 a gold-status music recording certification.
From 1995 to 1997, Ferrell toured as part of the George Duke Band. The group released a concert film titled Live at Montreux, which highlighted their concert set during the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1997. Ferrell also appeared as a backing vocalist on his albums Illusions (1995) and Is Love Enough? (1997).
2000–2002: Individuality (Can I Be Me?)
In August 2000, Ferrell released third album
Individuality (Can I Be Me?). The album peaked at number 1 on
Billboard's
Billboard charts chart and sold over 160,000 copies.
[ Singer’s Fans Give Her Strength. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on September 21, 2023] The album's singles "I Forgive You" and "Satisfied" both charted in the top twenty on the Adult R&B Songs chart. In 2001, Ferrell headlined her own tour to support the album. In April 2002, she released her live album
Live in Montreux 91–97.
2006–present: Recent activity
In 2006, Ferrell released a song titled "Wounds in the Way" on the Madea's Family Reunion soundtrack. In 2008, she appeared George Duke's
Dukey Treats album. In 2014, Ferrell performed at the Capital Jazz Festival. In 2018, she performed during the
Phyllis Hyman tribute at the Capital Jazz Festival. Ferrell also confirmed that she was recording her forthcoming album
The Art and Soul of Rachelle Ferrell.
Vocal ability
Ferrell has a six
octave vocal range.
[Steyer, Justin, and Abe Beeson. "Rachelle Ferrell: Singing Her Way to a Higher Plane." www.kplu.org, December 2, 2013.] Her range also includes the ability to sing and enunciate in the whistle register.
Personal life
In 1992, Ferrell filed a lawsuit against a production company, which was settled out of court in 2000.
In August 2023, Ferrell's management and website released a statement that Ferrell was experiencing "health, wellness, and life-related hardships".[ Fundraiser Launched to Benefit Singer Rachelle Ferrell. BET. Retrieved on September 21, 2023]
Discography
Albums
|
|
|
| 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 | — | |
Singles
|
|
|
| 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" (featuring Will Downing) | 72 | 72 | — | 25 |
| 1994 | "With Open Arms" | 68 | 61 | — | — |
| 2000 | "Satisfied" | — | — | — | 11 | Individuality (Can I Be Me?) |
| "I Forgive You" | — | — | — | 13 |
External links
