Biography

Rachael Pennell began singing jazz in the spring of 1997. Until then, Rachael, who is a classically trained actress, was busy auditioning for theatre and television roles. Appearing in commercials and television series such as The Bill and Common as Muck, Rachael began singing in an effort to broaden her horizons. She then spent the next two years concentrating on singing although in August 1999 she made a pilot film, Fathers and Daughters, directed by Robert Pennant-Jones and starring Frances Barber. During her acting training, Rachael had had occasion to sing but never felt comfortable with the typical material on offer, taken from shows such as Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera.

As a child, Stoke-on-Trent-born Rachael longed to grow up into Judy Garland and so at 23 she began to sing the songs of her era. Singing first with the Teddy Fullick Quintet in Nottingham, Rachael soon found her feet, as her voice was naturally suited to swing and blues. Her engagements around the city helped her to develop her confidence and style, interpreting the songs of Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald.

In August 1998, Rachael moved from Nottingham to London and after a chance meeting with Stan Greig, he and Rachael began to work together. Beginning with weekly appearances at Smithy's Wine Bar, they worked on arrangements, performed at The 100 Club and in May 1999 recorded Rachael's first album, Papa Said....

Alongside her work with Stan Greig, Rachael also performs with Phil Parnell, a brilliant American pianist from New Orleans.

After the successful debut of the album Papa Said..., Rachael began to tour nationally with her music. Various dates included working alongside musicians such as Jamie Cullum, Enrico Tomasso, Stan Robinson and Alan Barnes. In 2003, Rachael released her second album, Bare 'n' Blue on Avid Records. This has received international acclaim from across Europe and the USA. Rachael's music is regularly featured on radio stations across the world.