ONE of the toughest areas in contemporary music in which to make an impact must surely be jazz, being an acknowledged minority pastime for both practitioners and listeners.

That is not to say that, through the ages, certain individuals, and bands, have found fame and the recognition and financial rewards that go with it.

Sadly, however, their numbers are relatively few compared to the legions of three-cord merchants who make it big on the back of a string of instantly forgettable dirges.

It is especially tough if you happen to be a singer who specialises in jazz. And tougher still if you are a woman.

At present we are very lucky to have several women, in Europe and America, who grace the swing music scene and a new recruit is about to burst on to the scene in the UK. She is called Robin McKelle and will be unveiled, as it were, in front of music press, bookers and the like, at The Pigalle, in Piccadilly Circus, on Tuesday, July 3.

I have already had an opportunity to assess her qualities, as the company responsible for launching her career in Britain sent me a copy of her CD, appropriately entitled "Introducing".

Released by Candid Records (CCD 79996) the day before her Pigalle date, the album is mostly tunes from the Great American Songbook, such as "Night And Day", You Brought A New Kind Of Love", "I've Got The World On A String" and "Come Rain Or Come Shine".

It is easy to understand why Ms McKelle is being compared to such greats as Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. She has the same kind of distinctive sound and interprets songs with a similar "feel", which is remarkable for a young woman whose experience of the 1940s and 50s can only have been gleaned from listening to jazz vocalists from that era.

I very much enjoyed her album and would make an effort to hear her "live" if she appears anywhere in our region. I'm in good company, too, as none other than Michael Parkinson, doyen of all jazz broadcasters, has been regularly showcasing tracks from "Introducing" on his popular Sunday BBC radio programme.

Anyway, I will keep you posted on her progress and movements as they filter through. In the meantime, try and get a copy of her CD. It is well worth a listen One of the ladies of swing who has made it in the UK is the wonderful Lianne Carroll, who since the launch of her debut album "Billy No Mates" in 2003, has gone on to win a string of awards and become one of the most popular and acclaimed jazz artists in Britain.

A brilliantly inventive pianist and singer, Lianne recently won best female jazz vocalist at the inaugural Ronnie Scott Jazz Awards, presented by Tony Bennett and Michael Parkinson. She will be appearing at The Met, in Market Street, Bury, on Friday, September 14.

Tickets are priced at £15 and £13 (concessions) and the Met ticket office can be reached on 0161 761 2216. Don't miss her.