Ellen McIlwaine: Passage To India.

Ellen McIlwaine plays The Healer on Wednesday and Thursday and the Civic Hall, Mullimbimby on Friday.

Ellen McIlwaine has quite a diverse history. Born in Nashville, she was adopted by southern Presbyterian missionaries who took her to Japan where she grew up. By age five, she was playing rock ‘n’ roll piano after listening to the likes of Ray Charles. She returned to the States as a teenager, attending college in Tennessee and picking up the guitar. Her multi-cultural influences, resonant voice and wicked slide guitar have ensured that Ellen has remained in demand as a performer and recording artist.

Ellen explains her music: “It’s a mix of blues, R&B, reggae, Middle Eastern influence (on the acoustic guitar), Indian vena influence (vena is even played with a slide), Nusrat Fateyh Ali Khan the late great Pakistani singer, and the Bulgarian women's choir... as well as Japanese folk and classical, and Ray Charles, Tina Turner, etc. I would describe my music as exotic blues and world beat. It is developing more on acoustic Middle Eastern-style instrumentals as I had not used the acoustic for years and, as of the last two years, I have begun to use it again.”

Recorded in Seattle in 2000, Spontaneous Combustion is the latest album from Ellen. She is joined by the inimitable Taj Mahal.

Ellen explains: “It features Taj Mahal singing on two cuts, and has Bill Rich on bass, Kester Smith on drums, one of his rhythm sections. I play electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, and there is even an a cappella number with Taj. It is an assortment of styles including rhythm and blues, straight blues, Reggae influence, and even a Middle Eastern instrumental on acoustic. Rhythm beds were recorded live off the floor (everyone playing together) with some vocals and guitar solos overdubbed.”

Ellen plans to record a new acoustic, solo album within the next twelve months, as well as work on her autobiography which would be a fascinating read. Until then we can console ourselves by seeing Ellen live in concert. She promises it will be: “High energy, intense and fun!”