Grace Chatto

Grace Chatto is an English musician, cellist, and percussionist, best known as a co-founder of the electronic band Clean Bandit. Her distinctive cello playing is a signature element of the band's global hits, including the Grammy-winning "Rather Be," "Symphony," and "Rockabye." Chatto's work with Clean Bandit has achieved massive international success, marked by chart-topping singles and performances at major festivals worldwide. In addition to her work with the band, she composes for film and television, runs a charity focused on cello education for underprivileged children, and hosts a podcast that delves into the fusion of classical and electronic music. Fans connect with Chatto's ability to bring classical elements into contemporary pop, making the genre feel both fresh and accessible.[edit]

Grace Chatto, born on December 10, 1985, in London, England, grew up in a household deeply rooted in both music and academia. Her mother was a music teacher, fostering an early appreciation for the arts, while her father, a mathematics professor, contributed to a stimulating intellectual environment. Chatto's musical journey began at the tender age of five when she picked up the cello, an instrument she quickly mastered. She demonstrated significant talent, performing regularly in school orchestras throughout her childhood. Her secondary education at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith saw her balance rigorous academics with intensive music practice, solidifying her classical foundation.

She continued her musical studies at the University of Westminster, earning a BA in Music. Further expanding her academic and musical horizons, Chatto pursued and completed a Master's in Ethnomusicology at SOAS, University of London, in 2010. During her postgraduate studies, she delved into traditional music from West Africa and the Middle East, broadening her understanding of diverse musical cultures. It was during her university years that Chatto's path converged with Jack Patterson and Luke Patterson.

Together, they began experimenting with electronic music in their dorm rooms, pioneering a unique sound that merged Chatto's sweeping cello lines with programmed beats. This formative period also saw Chatto expand her instrumental repertoire by learning percussion, enabling her to add rhythmic layers to their early demos. Their collaborative efforts initially led to the formation of a band named Massive Violins, which performed at small parties and venues, honing their distinctive blend of classical and electronic elements. Chatto's classical training became the very backbone of their evolving sound. In 2009, this innovative trio rebranded themselves as Clean Bandit, marking the beginning of their journey towards wider recognition.[edit]

Clean Bandit's first single "A+E" charted modestly in 2012, but everything changed with "Rather Be" in 2014. The track hit No. 1 in the UK and won the Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2015. Chatto's cello hook became iconic. The band's debut album New Eyes peaked at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart. They toured globally, with Chatto performing cello and percussion live. The second album What Is Love? (2018) produced three massive No. 1 singles: "Rockabye" (featuring Sean Paul and Anne-Marie), "Symphony" (featuring Zara Larsson), and "Solo" (featuring Demi Lovato). "Rockabye" spent nine weeks atop the UK chart. Chatto also began composing for film, scoring the 2022 independent film The Last Note. In 2025, Clean Bandit released the singles "Heartbeat" and "Electric Love," and as of 2026, they are working on a third studio album. Chatto also launched the podcast "Cellos and Beats" in 2025.[edit]

Chatto is seen as the classically trained backbone of Clean Bandit, blending elegance with modern streetwear. She often performs in flowing dresses paired with combat boots, and her cello is custom-painted with geometric patterns. Media profiles describe her as down-to-earth and intellectual. Fans, known collectively as Bandits, share clips of her live solos on social media. Her own social media voice mixes professional updates with music theory explainers and personal reflections. She engages directly with fans, answering questions about cello technique. Chatto's advocacy for music education and her academic background give her a unique credibility in the electronic music scene.[edit]

Grace Chatto's fanbase is a quiet but devoted one, built on the strength of her musicianship and the global reach of Clean Bandit's hits. With the band selling nearly 15 million records and Chatto's personal Instagram following at around 172,000, her fans, often referred to simply as Clean Bandit fans, are not a formally organized community. There is no official fandom name, no structured fan clubs, and no documented campaigns or inside jokes. Instead, her appeal lies in her authenticity: from revealing she keeps her Grammy in her toilet to speaking candidly about sexism and media bias, she fosters a personal connection that resonates deeply.

Her fans, known collectively as Bandits in some circles, share clips of her live solos and engage with her explainers on music theory. Yet, this organic, decentralized community has not coalesced into a named fandom or launched visible fan projects. What they lack in organization, they make up for in loyalty, celebrating her fusion of classical and electronic music and her advocacy for social causes.

In the grand scheme of fame, Grace Chatto is currently an evaluated, unranked figure. As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has assessed her, but she does not hold a placement in the published rankings, neither in the Global Top 1,000 nor in any Top-100 scope list. Her fame, while substantial in music circles, has not translated into a top-tier ranking, and her fanbase remains without a formal name in iFANN's data.[edit]

Grace Chatto speaks fluent French and conversational Spanish, acquired during her ethnomusicology fieldwork. She owns over 15 cellos, including a rare 18th-century Italian instrument. In 2011, she published an academic paper on electronic music and West African rhythms in the Journal of Ethnomusicology. She founded the charity "Cello for All" in 2018, offering free lessons to London children. Chatto collaborated with Stella McCartney on a limited-edition cello case line. She also runs a small YouTube channel (10,000 subscribers) where she posts cooking videos; her favorite dish to cook is Thai green curry.

One of the most beloved stories about Chatto is her admission in a 2023 GQ interview that she keeps her Grammy award in her toilet, a quirk that perfectly captures her down-to-earth nature and has become a signature anecdote. Another iconic moment was her 2018 performance in Israel, covered by the Jerusalem Post, which highlighted the global reach of "Rather Be." Her advocacy has also made headlines, including her 2017 statement that gay men of color do not get enough media attention, and her candid discussions about sexism in the music industry.[edit]

Chatto's mother was a music teacher and her father a professor of mathematics. She has one brother whose name is not publicly known. Chatto currently lives in London and owns a property worth an estimated £800,000 to £1.2 million. She has no pets, though she has said in interviews she would like a dog. Her parents encouraged her musical education from a young age, and she credits her mother with instilling discipline in her practice routine.[edit]

Grace Chatto has collaborated extensively with Clean Bandit members Jack Patterson and Luke Patterson. She worked with vocalists Jess Glynne on "Rather Be," Zara Larsson on "Symphony," Sean Paul and Anne-Marie on "Rockabye," and Demi Lovato on "Solo." Other collaborators include Luis Fonsi, Marina, and Mabel. She also dated former bandmate Neil Amin-Smith from 2016 to 2018.[edit]

Grace Chatto's most notable relationship was with Clean Bandit bandmate Jack Patterson. They began dating around 2010 and became engaged in 2013, but ended the engagement in 2015. Chatto has said the split was difficult but they remained professional. She later dated Neil Amin-Smith, a former violinist for Clean Bandit, from 2016 to 2018; that relationship was private and ended amicably. As of 2026, Chatto is reportedly single and focused on her career. She has no children.[edit]

As of 2026, iFANN's editorial analysis estimates Grace Chatto's net worth at $7 million. The bulk of this wealth stems from Clean Bandit's album sales, exceeding 5 million units worldwide, and streaming revenue from over 10 billion streams. Touring has been a significant income source, with headline tours and festival appearances at Glastonbury, Coachella, and Tomorrowland. Songwriting royalties add a steady stream. She has endorsement deals with Apple Music and Spotify, and owns a London property valued between £800,000 and £1.2 million. Chatto also holds investments in music technology startups. Her net worth has grown steadily since Clean Bandit's breakthrough, though she remains modest compared to top pop stars.[edit]