JUST like the album track it takes its name from, Zoe Gilby's beautiful song, Red Headed Girl, re-tells the story of her most devoted fan.

"I wrote the song about my mother, living in Newcastle, and her move to London in the 1960s," said the jazz vocalist, who returns to Clitheroe next week for a special show at the town's Atrium venue.

"This was a period in her life before marriage and motherhood.

"She was a bit of a free spirit, and still is, and a person with a great sense of adventure.

"This wasn't just a geographical journey for her, it opened her eyes to the big wide world and what better place to discover it than London in the Swinging Sixties.

"Her stories of that time were captivating, heartwarming and hilarious and for a person who has proved such a true inspiration for me over the years I had to write about it and turn it into a song."

Zoe was always surrounded by music. Her father was the well-known jazz trumpeter Mike Gilby, and she grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday and her favourite artist Carmen McRae.

"I was very fortunate indeed to have the family support I enjoyed because both my parents were a tremendous inspiration to me," she added.

"It was quite a Bohemian upbringing I suppose, they'd always encourage me to embrace the arts and just be myself.

"When I told my dad I wanted to be a musician he didn't dress it up, how hard it would be.

"He warned me that some people would try and rip me off and that it is so difficult to make it in the business.

"However, that just made me more determined and now music is my life."

Her last album, Twelve Stories, as well as numbers by Kate Bush (In The Warm Room), Roger Waters (Money) includes several original tracks including Red Headed Girl.

"Kate Bush was always an inspiration too, I admired her great courage," said Zoe.

"You know, she broke the rules because everything she did was so innovative.

"I do get the greatest pleasure from performing my own songs, though, because that is the ultimate test, playing them in front of an audience.

"Before each song I tell them what it is about, so I'm sharing my life with them in that way.

"I think that you have always to try and push the boundaries in music, gathering resources and casting your net for new ideas.

"When you look at somebody like Charlie Parker, for example, he caused controversy with what he did because it was so uncompromising."

She returns to Clitheroe by popular demand following two sell-out shows in the town.

"When I go on stage I don't think about conveying my music in a jazz style.

"The music industry gets caught up with labelling and classifying artists.

"If it feels right and sounds good, then that does it for me.

"A singer needs to get inside of the song, live it, and breath it and put it across to the audience with everything in their heart.

"That's why I love playing in Clitheroe because it is always such a lovely vibe there."

The Zoe Gilby Quartet at The Atrium, Clitheroe, Friday, July 1. Details from 01200 421599.