About Me
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 dont let appearances fool you. She is a wit with an edge like vinegar and eighty-eight spicy keys to back her up.Shes 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 Marilyns 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, shes got what it takes to make your event unforgettably fun.
