CELEBRATED blues vocalist Sari Schorr is playing Southampton Talking Heads on Wednesday (April 4).

New York-based Sari initially gained prominence throughout the blues world after several years of touring the US and Europe with Blues legend, Joe Louis Walker and renowned guitarist, Popa Chubby.

Schorr - who was recently inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame, is described by many blues pundits as a modern-day hybrid of Janis Joplin and Tina Turner - a red-hot blues mama who radiates emotional intensity, connects with and inspires her audiences.

Siri said: "We’re really looking forward to coming back to the UK to perform songs from the new album to our lovely British blues fans. British blues audiences are the best. They are very passionate about their music.”

Her debut album “A Force of Nature” was produced by Mike Vernon whose credits include Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall & the Blues Breakers, David Bowie, Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Christine McVie and Ten Years After.

In January 2015, Mike received a Keeping the Blues Alive award at the prestigious International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. The award was not the only highlight of the weekend for Mike. The second highlight occurred when Mike witnessed the performance of one of the most amazing female blues singers he’d seen in years – Sari Schorr.

Mike was so knocked out, he came out of semi-retirement to produce her new album. Already a consummate songwriter in her own right, with tracks on major labels, Sari has written or co-written almost all the songs on the debut album.

Sari's new band, The Engine Room, features stunning British guitarist Innes Sibun (former Robert Planet guitarist). “The Engine Room truly is a remarkable band,” says Sari. “Something magical happens when we’re on stage together. We’re fuelled further by the audiences’ reaction and everything’s possible. I love touring and enjoy the privilege of meeting so many like-minded people who share our love of the Blues.”

The album delivers hard-driving Blues-Rock, influenced by the late '60s British Blues movement. Sari (who trained as an opera singer) mixes Blues, Rock, and Soul with concrete melodies and poetic lyrics to striking effect.

Sari said:“I set out to write achingly honest songs about the beauty and the tragedy of the human experience. I hope my music can be a galvanizing force to inspire, repair and unite people. I try not to allow constraints on my writing or my performance of the songs. Most often, I manage to trust my intuition and honestly, Mike Vernon brings out the best in the artists he works with.

"My songs are rooted in the blues and honouring that long tradition is important to me,” reflects Sari. “My song-writing draws heavily on contrasting melodic hooks with aching harmonies. I spend a lot of time working over and rewriting my lyrics. I rely heavily on imagery and enjoy using double-entendres that are entertaining to those who catch them. "