Rachael Calladine

Rachael began singing professionally at the age of 17 with local dixieland jazz groups and an 18-piece big band. This baptism of fire gave her a wide repertoire of jazz material and she soon started writing original material, which in turn led to a broadening out of Rachael’s taste and a move into more soul-based writing and performing.

A short spell working as a nurse left her with a desire to gain a wider experience of life and Rachael joined the Police in her early 20s. But the lure of the stage was too strong, and Rachael left to take up a professional singing career. A move to London and the resulting gigs on the capital’s jazz circuit led to a recording deal in Amsterdam, where she recorded an album in 1996. “Unfortunately the album was never released, but it was a great learning experience in studio recording technique” says Rachael. Returning to London, Rachael began to develop a healthy & loyal following on the live jazz circuit throughout the UK.

At a gig in London’s 606 jazz club, she was approached by legendary producer Narada Michael Walden, which resulted in a recording session, and the beginning of a friendship which continues today. In 1999 she became a member of a gospel choir and sang backing vocals for the Spice Girls last UK tour. Songwriting experiments continued, and in 2002 the song “La La Li” was licensed by influential DJs Gilles Peterson, for his “Worldwide Vol. 2” compilation, and Germany’s Rainer Truby, for his “Glucklich Vol. 5” album, and subsequently became a dancefloor favourite of jazz DJs throughout the world.

Rachael’s growing reputation led to a week long residency at Ronnie Scotts jazz club in Soho, London in July 2002, where she has since appeared on an annual basis. In September 2004 she joined Geoff Wilkinson’s hip-hop/jazz group Us3 and went on to perform over 50 gigs in 14 countries with them over the next twelve months. This led to writing and recording sessions in Geoff’s East London studio, and Rachael’s debut album “Life, Love and Gossip” was born. Co-writing with a tight funky team of keyboard players Neil Angilley (Snowboy, Down To The Bone, Us3), Jim Watson (Incognito, Zero 7, Katie Melua) and bass player Level Neville Malcolm (Us3, Real People) gave the album an intimate warm and soulful feeling throughout.

Away from music, Rachael’s interests include yoga, running, and weight training. She has a black belt in the martial art of Sanchou, and taught weekly classes in London for 2 years.

In Rachael’s own words:- “I have been waiting a long time to make this album. I didn’t want to make a record revisiting jazz standards as there are already many great performances. I wanted to make some new music, and although I have a background in jazz, I wanted to draw on my large collection of influences from Sarah Vaughan, George Benson, Joyce, and Michael Jackson to rock, classical and Brazilian music. I want to make good quality music that makes people feel good, but can also prompt thought and emotion”.