Rachelle Ferrell is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, composer, and arranger, best known for jazz, contemporary jazz, R&B, soul, and gospel-influenced vocal music. She was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, studied at Berklee College of Music, and worked with major artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, George Benson, and George Duke.
Her important albums include First Instrument, Rachelle Ferrell, Individuality (Can I Be Me?), and Live in Montreux 91–97. Well-known songs and performances include “I’m Special,” “Welcome to My Love,” “‘Til You Come Back to Me,” “Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This” with Will Downing, “I Forgive You,” “Satisfied,” “You Send Me,” and “My Funny Valentine.” Apple Music notes that First Instrument was originally released in Japan in 1990 and that her 1992 self-titled U.S. debut moved more toward urban pop/contemporary sounds.
She is known for her extraordinary vocal range, expressive improvisation, scat singing, and ability to move between jazz standards, R&B ballads, and gospel-rooted performances. Blue Note highlights her “six-and-change octave range,” while Deezer describes her primarily as a jazz singer who has also recorded pop, R&B, and gospel music.