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Introducing Lucy Zirins.....
"A very talented young singer/songwriter who combines the raw
energy of blues with sweet soul melodies..."
Hebdon Bridge World Music Festival
I saw Lucy for the first time at the Colne R&B Festival
2008 and all I can say is...
"Wow! This young lady will go far - such a natural talent for
the blues in one so young!"
Alan White, Earlyblues.com
Lucy at Colne R&B Festival 2008
Lucy at Colne R&B Festival 2009
Chris (Diversity FM Radio Producer), Mississippi Max Haymes and Lucy at Diversity FM Radio,
Lancaster
"Only 16, Lucy Zirins packs a powerful
punch in her vocals in one instant and the sigh of a mournin'
dove in the next; laced with a mean streak of the blues. Backed
up by Mississippi Delta-style guitar and delicious slide that
sends them shivers wrigglin' on down the spine. One of her most
impressive blues is a self-penned
'Lost Love Blues'. Like
Memphis Minnie, Jo Ann Kelly, and Emily Druce, Lucy is carryin'
the good work on. Have mercy!"
'Mississippi' Max Haymes, June 2008
Here is Lucy's Biography ('in her own
words'), written especially for earlyblues.com:
I was born on 24th April 1992 in Burnley, Lancashire.
I attended Lowerhouse Junior School where I made my stage debut
in year 6 playing the title role in our Christmas play
“Babooshka” – also my first singing role.
I then attended Gawthorpe High School – changed its name to
Shuttleworth College. I have just graduated from there with 10
GCSEs – 3 A*s, 6 As and one B.
I have just started my A level studies at Nelson and Colne
College where I am studying LAMS (Lancashire Advanced Music
Studies – music and music tech), English Language and English
Literature.
So, how did I get started in music? Well Mum and Dad have always
played tapes and CDs in the car, ever since I was a baby and I
guess what they listened to rubbed off on me – 60s/70s/80s
(Mum), Blues and Rock (Dad). Used to make songs up to the car
indicator in my head – maybe why I have a good sense of rhythm
now. Ha! Ha!
I started playing guitar 4 years ago when my uncle Chris died,
aged 41. He played accordion (so does my Granddad), and was
learning to play acoustic guitar. When his stuff was cleared
out, the guitar and his books and CD tutorials were about to be
skipped and I asked if I could have them - I learnt to play I
guess to keep his memory alive.
I have been heavily influenced and helped by Saph Corry-Wright
and her husband Paul Corry. Saph was my music teacher at
Shuttleworth, and Paul is a musician, playing and writing for
the Michael Roach Band, playing for Roy Wood, amongst other “big
names”. Paul gave me a brass slide about 8 months ago and I
bought my first resonator in February.
I then had the fantastic offer of a scholarship to attend Euro
Blues Week in August, after attending a Michael Roach workshop
at Burnley Blues Festival. The scholarship was in memory of the
late great John Jackson (for young persons playing blues) and in
memory of Sam Mitchell for slide players. The week was
phenomenal, being taught by greats such as Michael Messer,
Orville Johnson, Steve James, Rick Franklin to name just a
few....
So, I’m now gigging, after finding my feet at a couple of open
mic sessions in Hebden Bridge. I played Colne Blues fringe
venues recently, including two appearances on King Rollo's
Acoustic Stage open mic session.
I am arranging to record a demo disk, courtesy of “Ivory Dan”
Danny McCormack and Paul Corry.
I have just received a great review in “Blues in Britain”
magazine and had an offer of a session on Radio Lancashire – so
“watch this space”.....
Lucy Zirins,
14th September 2008
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