A JAZZ pianist and singer who did not turn professional until she was in her 40s comes to the Concorde Club, Eastleigh, later this month.

Ellyn Rucker, from Des Moines, Iowa, USA, has developed into a respected jazz pianist with an intimate and natural singing voice.

Ellyn started playing the piano when she was eight, later studying classical piano, but she became interested in jazz during her teens. After leaving college she played clubs and hotels in her home-town area, starting primarily as a pianist, but gradually developing her singing.

By the time Ellyn turned professional she had acquired her own instrumental and vocal style and was ready for the big time. She spent several years working in Denver, Colorado, basically as a solo player but sometimes working with a rhythm section, playing with visiting jazzmen including Roy Eldridge, James Moody, Clark Terry, Richie Cole and Buddy Tate. She played at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands and in subsequent years toured Europe and the UK.

More recently Ellen has continued to concentrate on solo tours but has also worked with Spike Robinson on a number of occasions. Her accompanists on records have included Robinson, Pete Christlieb and John Clayton.

An eclectic pianist, with a wide-ranging repertoire, Rucker is gradually becoming accepted as an improvisational and skilled jazz musician, with a versatile playing style which can be forceful or elegant depending upon the material or her mood.

Ellyn plays the Concorde Club on Wednesday, June 18 with her trio and star flute, saxophone and clarinet player Jimmy Hastings.

For tickets and information call 023 8061 3989.