Rachelle Garniez

Artist Description

"..a certified free spirit...with a richly compelling voice and a wild imagination"
- The New Yorker

Born in New York City, Rachelle Garniez enjoys a diverse career as a performer, singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist.  Rachelle has worked with many people and ensembles including the Marvin Sewell Group, Weimar New York, Dan Zanes, Lori Carson, Catherine Russell, Jenny Scheinman, The Western Wind, choreographer Keely Garfield, Hazmat Modine, the Isle of Klezbos, Mumbo Gumbo, Retumba Con Pie, DJ Foosh, Richard Barone, Rufus Wainwright, Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children's Theater, and aerialist Chelsea Bacon, among others.  She formed her own band, the Fortunate Few, in 1997 and, up to 2008, has released three CDs of original songs independently on her label, Real Cool Records (named in honor of Chester Himes).

The latest Real Cool Records release, Melusine Years (2008) is a more intimate sounding recording featuring the piano, claviola, bell, accordion and vocals of Rachelle accompanied by the talents of Matt Munisteri on guitars and banjo, and Dave Hofstra on bass and tuba.

Some of Rachelle's current work includes being musical co-director of the neo-cabaret troupe The Citizens Band and returning to perform at the TED conference in February '08 as a member of the house band led by Thomas Dolby.