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. 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.

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!!

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 twenty-something actually lived through the 1950s" (METRO).

2007 was 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 completed work on a new album of original material, ‘Love Tattoo’, alongside her talented band of renowned musicians; Steve Rushton on drums, Al Gare on bass, Darrel Higham on guitar, and Dave Priseman on trumpet.

Releasing her first album on November 19th 2008, 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.

2009 saw the re-release of her 2003 album No Turning Back, which was originally released under the name Imelda Crabby. She has recently confessed the completion of her third album, which is scheduled for release sometime in September. The album, titled Mayhem, sees Imelda continue to develop her uniquely modern fusion of classical musical genres. The record not only showcases her exceptional songwriting ability, but also displays some more disparate influences, with first single ‘Psycho’ seeing Imelda channel the spirit of early PJ Harvey, whilst the heartbreakingly poignant ‘Kentish Town Waltz’ conjures an image of Chrissie Hynde at her most reflective.

See Imelda May perform live at Manchester Academy 2 on Saturday 9th October.