Born in Manhattan, New York, Rachel Phillips began playing the trumpet at the age of nine. Upon moving to Florida, she quickly began working her way up in school and state-wide competitions, including winning first trumpet in a state-wide high school trumpet competition. Her studies led her to the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy, where she continued her high school education, studying with Dr. Stanley Friedman and Bill Sears. Upon graduating from Interlochen, Rachel attended the University of Southern California, where she studied with trumpet veteran Bobby Shew, along with distinguished faculty members Alan Pasqua and Shelly Berg. Leaving USC in 2001, Rachel transferred to Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where her teachers included Marcus Belgrave, David Jennings, Donald Walden, and Derrick Gardner. It was during her time at Wayne State in which Rachel became the first recipient of the honorary Mel Wanzo Brass Scholarship, founded by veteran Count Basie trombonist Mel Wanzo. Rachel quickly became an active member of Detroit’s music scene, enjoying a successful freelance career, including stints with the Johnny Trudell Big Band, leading groups at numerous Michigan Jazz Festivals, as well as being a founding member of Soultura, a Detroit-based Latin-jazz ensemble. Her musical activities have taken her across the U.S., as well as performances throughout England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and Amsterdam.
Along with her performance career, Rachel is an avid composer and arranger, writing works for small groups and big bands. Rachel has enjoyed an extensive teaching career as well, teaching privately and leading both jazz and brass clinics throughout the country.
In 2006, Rachel and her husband, double bassist Spencer Phillips, returned to New York, where they currently reside. Rachel recently finished her studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, receiving a master’s degree in jazz performance, while studying with Michael Mossman, Laurie Frink, and Vincent Penzarella. In addition to her freelance career, Rachel leads the Rachel Phillips Quintet and the New Heights Brass Quartet, as well as co-leading The New York Klezmer Ensemble.