Article Contributed by Nicole Lise Feingold
Published on October 28, 2025
Rachael & Vilray are hysterical, charming, and wildly talented. Under the glow of The Ford’s open-air stage in Los Angeles, California, the jazz duo delivered an unforgettable performance. Known for their retro-inspired sound and quick comedic chemistry, Rachael & Vilray proved that great music doesn’t need pyrotechnics or spectacle to dazzle. All it takes is a microphone, a guitar, and two artists who genuinely love what they do. Of course, it didn’t hurt that they were backed by a phenomenal band that brought every arrangement to life with precision and playful exuberance.
Rachael & Vilray’s rapport is effortless. Together, they captured the magic of a bygone era while keeping it distinctly modern with their own brand of wit. Between songs, their banter flowed like jazz itself, improvised, lighthearted, and irresistibly human.
Highlights of the night included “Is It Jim?” with its instantly quotable line, “awkward and enormous, is it him? Is it Jim?”—a wonderfully absurd piece about a wife discovering her husband has been replaced by a tortoise. “Let’s Make Love on This Plane” was infectiously flirty, the kind of tune that makes you want to fall in love midair and risk a mile-high scandal. “At Your Mother’s House” was cheeky, sending the crowd into fits of laughter and applause.
By the end of the evening, it was clear that Rachael & Vilray aren’t just preserving a musical style; they’re reinventing it. Their sound may nod to the past, but their authenticity is timeless. Los Angeles has its share of awesome performances, but this one, beneath the stars at The Ford, was something special. If you get the chance to see them live, don’t miss it!
