Rachel Grimes

Rachel Grimes is a pianist and a composer with a distinct style that leans heavily towards classical music. She was a member of Rachel's, one of the more unique bands in the '90s (not named after her, actually) that combined modern chamber music with the post-rock sound. As she went solo in the '10s, she continued to push in the neoclassical direction. She usually works with small ensembles that may consist of strings or reed and brass instruments, plus occasional percussion that provide terrific interplay with her exquisite piano. Her music is nuanced, and it can be moody and elegiac. Her 2020 album The Way Forth is atypical in her use of Appalachian elements and vocals, where she chronicled the history of the state of Kentucky through spoken word pieces and music.