Rachel Eckroth

Rachel Eckroth is an American singer-songwriter and keyboardist from Phoenix, Arizona. She is currently the keyboardist for alternative musician St. Vincent and singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright after being the keyboardist for jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, and The Meredith Vieira Show. Her album The Garden was released by Rainy Days Records in 2021 and was nominated for the 64th Annual Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

Biography Rachel Eckroth was born into a musical family in Mandan, North Dakota and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. As a high school student, she was already performing in the Phoenix jazz scene and had the mentorship of former Count Basie vocalist Dennis Rowland. She then went to study at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas receiving her BA in Jazz Performance. In 2001, Eckroth moved to New York City and studied under jazz pianist Stanley Cowell at Rutgers University before receiving her MFA in Jazz Piano. In 2005 Eckroth released her debut album Mind with bassist Kevin Thomas and drummer Chris Benham. Later that year, she also released Makeover Volume 1, an EP featuring pop covers of her musical influences.

Eckroth was also the keyboardist for The Meredith Vieira Show house band from 2014 to 2016 before joining the backing band for singer-songwriter KT Tunstall in 2016. She then began her role as the keyboardist for Chris Botti in 2017. In May 2018, she released her first single from the album titled "Dark Waters".

She was the keyboardist for singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright and was also the supporting act for his All These Poses Anniversary Tour in 2018–2019.

Eckroth released the single "Moot Points" with singer Alassane and bassist Tim Lefebvre in 2021. Eckroth and Lefebvre also released an album of jazz standards titled The Blackbird Sessions Vol. 1. That same year, Eckroth released a self-titled EP that was produced by David Garza (Fiona Apple) at Sonic Ranch. In 2021, Eckroth also released her album The Garden on Rainy Days Records, which included saxophonist Donny McCaslin, bassist Tim Lefebvre, and guitarist Nir Felder. The Garden received acclaim and was nominated for the 64th Annual Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. In 2023, Eckroth was the keyboardist for bassist/songwriter Mike Gordon (Phish).

Eckroth released two albums in 2023: a solo piano album titled One consisting mostly of improvisations, and a live album titled Humanoid on Sam First Records with bassist Billy Mohler, drummer Tina Raymond, and guitarist Andrew Renfroe.

Eckroth is currently touring as the keyboardist for St. Vincent, beginning on the Daddy's Home Tour in 2021. On September 3rd, 2025, St. Vincent performed on the BBC Proms alongside Jules Buckley and his orchestra. Eckroth is credited as an arranger for multiple tracks on the setlist, and also performed on keyboard during the performance.

Discography As leader Mind (2005) Louder Than Words with Arun Luthra (2009) Let Go (Virgo Sun, 2014) When It Falls (Virgo Sun, 2018) The Blackbird Sessions Vol. 1 with Tim Lefebvre (2021) The Garden (Rainy Days, 2021) One (2023) Humanoid (Sam First, 2023) Saturn with John Hadfield (Adhyâropa Records 2024) Speaking in Tongues with John Hadfield (Adhyâropa Records 2025)

As guest Marion Meadows, Secrets (2009) KT Tunstall, Live at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire (2016) Emily Saliers, Murmuration Nation (2017) KT Tunstall, KT Tunstall's Acoustic Extravaganza 2 (2017) Aimee Mann, Queens of the Summer Hotel (2021) Céline Bonacina, Jump! (2023) St. Vincent, All Born Screaming (2024) The Saints of Paris, Collage (2024) The Saints of Paris, Alone with the Moon (2024)