Local musician, composer and arranger Rachel Grimes is truly a Louisville treasure who is sadly too often overlooked in the shuffle of our city’s burgeoning music scene.
The pianist was a key member of the band Rachel’s, founded by the late and wonderful Jason Noble. The band was a chamber music collective mostly inspired by late 20th century classical compositions, particularly the work of Michael Nyman. Their live shows were passionate, eclectic and visceral, constantly performing with a rotating band of musicians to fill out their sound in various ways.
Since leaving Rachel's, Grimes has performed all over the United States, Europe and Asia as a solo pianist. She has also collaborated with renowned chamber ensembles including Portland Cello Project, Cicada, Amsterdam Sinfonietta Trio and Orchestra Kandinskij. She has performed at countless diverse music festivals, including All Tomorrow’s Parties (curated by Shellac), Cross Linx in Netherlands, P Festival in Taiwan and Big Ears in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Grimes has had her work featured all over television and even in the Academy Award and Golden Globe winning film “La Grand Bellezza.” She has also had original pieces commissioned by giants like Julia Kent, Smithsonian Magazine and S.I.T.I. Company of New York.
Grimes has recorded three solo albums to date: “Book of Leaves,” “Compound Leaves” and this year’s “The Clearing.” She also wrote the score for a reissued 1938 silent film titled “Our Day." The suite is called “Marion County 1938.”
She is undoubtedly one of the most gifted artists in the city, and this is certainly a show you will want to see.
Rachel Grimes and her touring ensemble will be performing in Todd Hall at The Kentucky Center for the Arts on Friday June 26. The show will begin at 8 p.m., and tickets are $15.
Photo courtesy of Grimes's Website [4].