Funny, quirky, jazz inflected, folk/pop female singer/piano player

12 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz Vocals, FOLK: Modern Folk



Details:
Marilyn Rucker, known also as âThe Wicked Wit of the Westâ sizzles on the piano and sings a mean song. Not mean-spirited, mind you, but the lyrics are far darker and more satirical than you might expect from someone who looks like the lady on the Alabam Pickle Jar. Or rather Wholesome, with a capitol W, but donât let appearances fool you. She is a wit with an edge like vinegar and eighty-eight spicy keys to back her up.

Sheâs won regional, national and international songwriting awards in several different genres, including jazz, singer-songwriter and cabaret. She holds a masters degree in piano performance from Texas State University, where she studied with the world renowned jazz pianist, James Polk. Her masterful playing and singing reflect a playful mix of influences from Diana Krall, Tom Lehrer, Norah Jones, Blossom Dearie, Dave Frishberg, and Mose Allison. Her style; however, is unique. As stated in her hometown weekly, The Austin Chronicle, in a review of her latest c.d.: âBacked by her own keyboards and full band, Rucker bounces through a clever set of tunes in the novelty vein, with subjects ranging from old Southern ladies packing heat ("Pretty Little Gun") to overzealous religious types ("Twenty Naked Pentecostals"), with a special emphasis on obsession ("Constantly Studying You," "I Love Your Smell")⦠make no mistake, Rucker is a pro at the business of writing clever songsâ Ken Lieck reviewing.