Marilyn Rucker

Genre: Jazz
Secondary Genre: Folk Austin, Texas USA Contact

Marilyn plays humorous, jazz-inflected original piano/vocal tunes, much in the manner of Tom Lehrer, Dave Frishberg and Blossom Dearie. She does have a softer, more serious, Norah Jones and Diana Krall esque side, though. She plays as a solo act and with a quartet.

Print Version

Artist Information

Biography

Marilyn Rucker, known also as “The Wicked Wit of the West” sizzles on the piano and sings a mean song. Not mean-spirited, mind you, but the lyrics are far darker and more satirical than you might expect from someone who looks like the lady on the Alabam Pickle Jar. Or rather Wholesome, with a capitol W, but don’t let appearances fool you. She is a wit with an edge like vinegar and eighty-eight spicy keys to back her up.

She’s won regional, national and international songwriting awards in several different genres, including jazz, singer-songwriter and cabaret. the contests include top rankings in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Jazz), Billboard Awards (Jazz), Austin Songwriters Group (Jazz and Singer-Songwriter) and the finals of the Kerrville New Folk Competition this year. (2006)
Marilyn holds a masters degree in piano performance from Texas State University, where she studied with the world renowned jazz pianist, James Polk. Her masterful playing and singing reflect a playful mix of influences from Diana Krall, Tom Lehrer, Norah Jones, Blossom Dearie, Dave Frishberg, and Mose Allison. Her style; however, is unique. As stated in her hometown weekly, The Austin Chronicle, in a review of her latest c.d.: “Backed by her own keyboards and full band, Rucker bounces through a clever set of tunes in the novelty vein, with subjects ranging from old Southern ladies packing heat ("Pretty Little Gun") to overzealous religious types ("Twenty Naked Pentecostals"), with a special emphasis on obsession ("Constantly Studying You," "I Love Your Smell")… make no mistake, Rucker is a pro at the business of writing clever songs” Ken Lieck reviewing.

Her former bandmates, the Therapy Sisters, weigh in with this review: “Destined since birth to bring her message of unswerving lunacy to the listening public in search of a good time.”, which pretty much describes what the audience will get at one of Marilyn’s shows. Whether playing an intimate jazz-cabaret solo piano/singer gig, or getting the crowd up to dance at a club, a wedding or birthday bash with her big party horn band, she’s got what it takes to make your event unforgettably fun.

Instrumentation

Marilyn Rucker on piano/keyboards and vocals.
She also play with larger groups. Her quartet includes: Gary Feist on Bass and vocals, Richard Fenno on saxes and other reeds, and Jimmy Fenno on drumsand Louis Armstrong Impressions.

Discography

Everybody's Somebody Else's Weirdo (June 2006)Teapot Lady 2001
Voyeur Princess 1999
Codependent Christmas 1995 (with the Therapy Sisters)
Mood Swings 1995 (with the Therapy Sisters)

Official Website

http://www.marilynrucker.com

Audio

Lyrics

Video

Photo Gallery

  • MAR Hat

  • Marilyn with piano

Press

  • Teapot Lady Review [+ Show ]

    Backed by her own keyboards and full band, Rucker bounces through a clever set of tunes in the novel...

  • Good For What Ales Ya [+ Show ]

    Good for what ales ya…Rucker sparkles as a single. Her C.D., Voyeur Princess, is notable for its va...

  • Marilyn Rucker in Concert

    A very funny and witty singer/songwriter. Her piano/keyboard playing is amazing.

  • Review of Teapot Lady [+ Show ]

    How can you not like a song entitled “Twenty Naked Pentecostals”? Rucker combines quick-witted lyri...

Setlist

For festivals, conferences and coffeehouse concerts, Marilyn plays and sings her humorous original songs (but she will often mix in a few jazz and pop covers). Some sample titles of her original work: Modern Man, Constantly Studying You, You Owe Me Big, If I Could Be Like Xena, Everybody's Somebody Else's Weirdo.

Basic Requirements


Calendar

There are no upcoming dates at this time.