About Rochelle
Rochelle Marie Lightfoot, "The Sweetheart of Song"™ is an American multi-genre singer, songwriter, recording artist, actress, spokesperson and philanthropist. She is sought after for her velvety "big voice", and spirited performances. Renowned for her powerful rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner”, she has performed the National Anthem on grand stages for President Clinton, during President Obama's Administration for The U.S. Congress, the Miami Dolphins NFL Games and for U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team for the World Cup on ESPN, before an international audience of more than 6 million viewers.
Ms. Lightfoot was born in Miami, Florida, and is the second of four siblings. Rochelle is considered a naturally gifted vocal phenomenon or prodigy. As her mother Anna tells the story “She started singing when she was just 18 months old. "I was shocked hearing Rochelle mimicking the radio which was playing Aretha Franklin’s song RESPECT. She sang it in “perfect pitch” and has been singing ever since”. A few years later, she began sharing her vocal gift at churches, various community events and state pageantry competitions, often placing first in the talent category. During middle and high school, she also learned to play the viola, flute, and percussion instruments. After graduating high school, she obtained travel, tourism and hospitality management degrees from Miami Dade College and Florida International University.
A mezzo-soprano, Rochelle exudes a colorful range of velvety vocals, with a classic style influenced by treasured musical legends such as; Mahalia Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Bessie Smith, Lena Horne, Nat King Cole, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Nancy Wilson, Phyllis Hyman, Aretha Franklin, Pattie Labelle, Duke Ellington, Rachelle Farrell, Anita Baker and Whitney Houston. Her debut professional performance was for Dr. Maya Angelou in 1993, and it was at that moment she received a directive to continue singing no matter what. In 2011, Rochelle released her Christmas Album entitled “The Gift”, followed by "Jazzy Classics", a Big Band Jazz album in 2014. In 2016 she launched her signature event “Love Jazz and Soul” which is an exclusive and upscale dinner concert experience. She is slated to release her highly anticipated, 3rd Studio album, "The Tender Part of Me", with its' first 3 singles slated to be released during the Spring and Summer of 2024. This music was inspired by her real-life experiences. Her new music is a blend of rhythm and soul with a lovely twist of smooth jazz undertones, which she has written and co-produced.
Her multi-genre style also flows throughout her other disciplines as a voiceover actress, motivational speaker, and praise and worship minister. On January 25, 2007, she became a living organ donor, when she donated one of her kidneys to Gwen Amica, a lady she met during one of her performances. Today, they are both healthy and are wonderful friends. From this experience, she has become a spokesperson for live organ donation and created the Rochelle Lightfoot Foundation, which educates and empowers others about the need to become an organ donor, and makes grants to organizations that help donor families and transplant patients, who need emergency financial support. Ms. Lightfoot is dedicated to using her musical platform to help extend the gift of life to transplant patients and the upliftment of all people. She continues to be celebrated by all who experience her "Live in Concert", amazing them with her unique soulful sound and sophisticated style.
"Touching the World Through Song” -- R. LIGHTFOOT