Biography
Corinne Jacqueline Bailey Rae was born on February 26, 1979, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. She studied English language and literature at the University of Leeds, graduating in 2000. Her musical journey began in the late 1990s when she formed an indie group called Helen, inspired by female-fronted acts like Veruca Salt and L7. Though the band attracted attention from Roadrunner Records, the deal ultimately fell through. During this period, Bailey Rae worked as a cloakroom attendant at a Leeds jazz club, where she began singing in quieter moments and developed a deep affinity for soul and jazz music, particularly after beginning a relationship with saxophonist Jason Rae, whose extensive record collection profoundly influenced her artistic direction.
Bailey Rae's solo career took off in the mid-2000s following collaborations with Leeds-based musicians and producers. Her self-titled debut album, released in February 2006, debuted at number one on the UK charts and peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200, eventually selling over four million copies worldwide. The album's lead single, "Put Your Records On," became her signature song and established her as a major international artist. She was named the BBC's Sound of 2006 and won two MOBO Awards for Best UK Female and Best UK Newcomer. Her silky smooth brand of R&B, characterized by her delicate and graceful voice, drew comparisons to Billie Holiday and showcased her ability to blend jazz, soul, pop, rock, and indie influences.
Bailey Rae's career was marked by both critical acclaim and personal tragedy. In 2008, her husband Jason Rae died from an accidental overdose of methadone and alcohol, an event that profoundly affected her life and music. She channeled her grief into her second album, The Sea, released in January 2010, which debuted at number five on the UK charts and number seven on the US Billboard 200. The album was nominated for the Mercury Prize and demonstrated her artistic maturity and emotional depth. Throughout her career, Bailey Rae has earned Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Performance in 2012 for her cover of Bob Marley's "Is This Love," and has collaborated with distinguished musicians including Herbie Hancock. She has also become an ambassador for charitable organizations and continues to be recognized as a significant figure in contemporary R&B and soul music.
Fun Facts
- Bailey Rae became only the fourth British female solo artist in history to have her debut album reach number one on the UK charts when her self-titled album was released in February 2006.
- She worked as a cloakroom attendant at a Leeds jazz club while studying at university, and it was during quiet moments at this job that she was given the opportunity to sing, which ultimately changed the trajectory of her career.
- In 2008, Bailey Rae was featured on Herbie Hancock's album River: The Joni Letters, which won both Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Jazz Album at the Grammy Awards, earning her a Grammy Award for her contribution.
- Bailey Rae was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Leeds on July 14, 2011, the same institution where she studied English language and literature as an undergraduate.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Jason Rae - Saxophonist and first husband whose vast record collection introduced Bailey Rae to soul and jazz music, profoundly shaping her musical direction (Personal influence on musical taste and development) [Late 1990s-2008]
- Mark Hill (The stiX/Artful Dodger) - Producer and collaborator who recognized Bailey Rae's distinctive vocals and helped showcase her talent, leading to her EMI record deal (Young and Foolish (2005)) [2005]
Key Collaborators
- The New Mastersounds - Leeds-based funk group collaboration during Bailey Rae's transition to solo work (Your Love Is Mine (2003)) [2003]
- Homecut Directive - Leeds-based group collaboration on debut single (Come the Revolution (2004)) [2004]
- Steve Brown - Producer of both debut and second albums (Corinne Bailey Rae (2006), The Sea (2010)) [2006, 2010]
- Steve Chrisanthou - Co-producer of debut and second albums (Corinne Bailey Rae (2006), The Sea (2010)) [2006, 2010]
- Herbie Hancock - Featured artist collaboration on Grammy Award-winning album (River: The Joni Letters (2007)) [2007]
Artists Influenced
- Billie Holiday - Vocal style comparison; Bailey Rae's delicate and graceful voice has been compared to the jazz legend (General vocal influence) [Ongoing]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Corinne Bailey Rae | 2006-01-01 | Album |
| The Co-Star | 2025-06-06 | Album |
| The Heart Speaks In Whispers (Deluxe) | 2016-05-13 | Album |
| The Sea | 2010-01-01 | Album |
| The Sea | 2010-01-01 | Album |
| Black Rainbows | 2023-09-15 | Album |
| Al Green: Soul Legend | 2022-09-29 | Album |
| Live In New York | 2007-01-01 | Album |
| River: The Joni Letters | 2007-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Put Your Records On (Corinne Bailey Rae)
- Like A Star (Corinne Bailey Rae)
- The Scientist
- Trouble Sleeping (Corinne Bailey Rae)
- Is This Love
- Till It Happens To You (Corinne Bailey Rae)
- Enchantment (Corinne Bailey Rae)
- Take Your Time (Lay It Down)
- Breathless (Corinne Bailey Rae)
- Call Me When You Get This (Corinne Bailey Rae)
External Links
Tags: #iswcs-pending, #neo-soul, #soul
Heard on WWOZ
Corinne Bailey Rae has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 8, 2025 | 02:29 | Jersey Girlfrom Come On Up to the House: Women Sing Waits | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Oct 7, 2025 | 00:24 | Closerfrom The Sea | Adjacentw/ Benny Poppins |