YORK blues singer Suzy Martell plays a home-city gig with guitarist Gary Boyle at The Last Drop Inn, in Colliergate, on Tuesday at 8.30pm.

"Admission is free and it's always packed out when we're on, so be early to get a seat. It's just me and Gary in a laidback blues and jazz set: originals and blues standards from such singers as Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Etta James, " says Suzy, who is to resume her travels to the United States soon.

"Unfortunately, my health has kept me at home for a few months, but I'm returning to Chicago shortly to the Paragon Studios to work on my new album. It will be all my own original songs for the Paragon Blues Recording Label, and I hope to have to the album released in September in Britain and the States."

Suzy cut her musical teeth in country music, but her past treatment for cancer has given her voice a resonance ideal for the blues.

"Blues is my music now, and though Nashville will always be my spiritual home, I'll be spending a lot of time in Chicago from now on, as well as recording and playing gigs there, " she says.

Meanwhile, Suzy's musical endeavours in York and beyond in England are receiving sponsorship support from MOR Music, of Walmgate.

"These finances have helped a lot and the shop has been fantastic to me with such knowledgeable staff, " she says.