The Imelda May Biography

09/11/2007 14:36:39 By Violent Violet

Dublin-born Imelda May has the rare kind of raw talent and timeless glamour that truly illuminates the stage. You don’t just watch Imelda perform, you experience it, "She holds her audience by the scruff of the throat, reaches down and tears out your heart" (www.ryhthm-and-booze.co.uk). Whether it’s her infectiously unique fusion of rockabilly, blues and jazz, her extensive self-penned repertoire, her sassy burlesque-inspired performances or her distinctive interpretation of classic standards, her appeal is both seductive and undeniable. As such, she is fast emerging as one of the finest vocalists from the UK Roots music scene today. Winning friends and fans from a diverse cross section of people, from the late Kirsty MacColl to Jools Holland, Imelda May has shared the stage with an impressive array of musical talent - Alison Moyet, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, Bryan Ferry, Anastasia, The Supremes, Sister Sledge, Scissor Sisters, Matt Bianco, Elvis Costello and Elton John, to name but a few. Winter 2007 will see Imelda accompanying Jools Holland on tour, culminating in her debut at The Royal Albert Hall in December. Imelda’s creative evolution began at an early age. From singing with her sister in Church as a child to performing in nightclubs as an under-age teenager (she was once turned away from one of her own gigs for being too young!) her journey continues to be one of passion, substance and insight. In her own words “My whole life revolves around music. There's no magic story in there, just that I've been singing my ass off since I was four!! Oh, I did sing the jingle for a Findus Fish Finger ad when I was fourteen but I think the less said about that the better!!”. Inspired by such Jazz greats as Billy Holiday, Dinah Washington, and the undisputed queen of rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, Imelda is forging a contemporary sound all of her own. With a nod to the glory days of old but with her heart and soul very much in the present, this rockin’ little minx belts them out with all the musical force of a veteran Rockabilly wildcat! As one reviewer put it, Imelda has a “voice so throaty and powerful, it suggests that this young twentysomething actually lived through the1950s” (METRO). 2007 has been an exciting, affirming year for Imelda. In amongst being nominated for Best Burlesque Singer 2007 and making her movie debut in L.A., starring as the singing voice for a character in forthcoming American gangster movie, ‘Dark Streets’, she has been working on a new album of original material, Love Tattoo, alongside her talented band of renowned musicians; Dean Beresford on drums, Al Gare on bass, Danny McCormack on piano, Darrel Higham on guitar, and Dave Priseman on trumpet. Releasing her first album on November 19th, ‘Love Tattoo’ is a timelessly truthful collection, an intoxicating blend of Jazz-a-Billy delivered in a direct and personal voice - unmistakably Imelda May and nothing short of captivating. Hold on whilst Imelda May is rockin’. It’s quite a ride!