Album Notes

Rachel Charson is a vocalist whose delivery is both sultry and sassy, with a no-frills edge that delivers a zing to the heart. Her musical interpretations are breathtaking and true to the classics, yet truly her own style. She learned her craft from artists who built Chicago into the jazz center that it is today, and is continuing the tradition with her own stylings.

Why jazz? "Because when I hear it, I feel like I have velvet in my veins. It's visceral. If I walk into a shop and unexpectedly hear some Miles Davis, it can pull me away from whatever thought bubble I've been in and pull me right into the song. I want to have that sort of an effect on people. To pull them into an intimate moment, connect them with a story, thought, or emotion, and ultimately bring them joy. As a performer I want to make an audience feel comfortable, and drop all pretentions. A great singer can take people soaring, not necessarily by swooping up and down the scales, but by tapping into themselves, and sharing what is found there. That is what I strive for as a vocalist and as a performer. Jazz offers me a framework to build this upon, and I love it. Pure and simple."

This is Rachel's debut CD.