Welcome to Rachel Lee Music

Rachel Lee Sanders

Vocalist • Songwriter • Jazz Artist 

San Diego, California

Rachel Lee Sanders is a dynamic vocalist and songwriter emerging from San Diego’s vibrant jazz scene. With a remarkable three-octave vocal range, Rachel moves effortlessly between jazz, soul, pop, and classical music, bringing a distinctive combination of vocal maturity, musical versatility, and genuine passion to every performance.

Rachel’s musical journey began at an extraordinary age. At 10 years old, she won the Coronado Talent Competition. At 11, she was featured in The San Diego Union-Tribune by acclaimed music journalist George Varga as a “Spring Artist to Watch.” That same year, Rachel began presenting her own concerts at San Diego’s The Jazz Lounge, performing alongside acclaimed musicians Leonard Patton and Kamau Kenyatta.

Since then, Rachel has become a rising presence in the San Diego jazz community, regularly performing at Dizzy’s and The Jazz Lounge. At age 13, she took the stage at Dizzy’s as the lead vocalist of a 10-piece band for a Joni Mitchell tribute, a sold-out performance that showcased not only her vocal ability, but also her confidence and command as a young bandleader.

Her artistry has also taken her beyond San Diego. At just 11 years old, Rachel was invited to perform as a guest artist for recording artist Erin Stevenson’s Women’s Day event at the legendary Spaghettini in Long Beach.

Rachel is a Young Lions Jazz Conservatory All Star and has performed twice at Jacobs Music Center’s Copley Symphony Hall, opening for jazz events curated by acclaimed trumpeter and San Diego jazz leader Gilbert Castellanos. These opportunities have allowed her to perform alongside and learn from some of the region’s most respected jazz musicians.

Her musical education is as diverse as her repertoire. Rachel studies jazz vocals with renowned jazz vocalist and recording artist Kevyn Lettau, developing her skills in jazz phrasing, interpretation, improvisation, and vocal expression. She also studies classical voice as a mezzo-soprano under the tutelage of renowned opera bass Louis Lebherz, giving her a strong technical foundation and a deep appreciation for the classical vocal tradition.

At 14, Rachel stepped further into her identity as a recording artist and songwriter with the release of her debut original single, “Sweet Devil.” The song marks an important milestone in her artistic development, introducing audiences to Rachel not only as an interpreter of music, but as a songwriter with a voice and perspective of her own.

Rachel is currently preparing her debut jazz album, featuring some of her favorite standards and an accomplished group of Los Angeles–based musicians. The recording features Adam Michalson on piano and production, Steve Hass on drums, George Shelby on saxophone, and J.C. Collier on bass.

Whether she is interpreting a classic jazz standard, delivering a soulful pop performance, singing in the classical tradition, or performing her own original music, Rachel Lee Sanders brings authenticity, confidence, and emotional depth to the stage.

From the jazz clubs of San Diego to major concert halls, Rachel Lee Sanders is building her voice, her artistry, and her place in the next generation of music.