ONE of the music business's long players is performing at Kendal's Leisure Centre next week.

Salford-born Elkie Brooks is coming to the venue as part of the Strange Fruit Tour, performing songs from her new album of the same name.

The young Elkie was only five years old when she found her singing voice at one of her Jewish family's many bar mitzvahs.

In her teenage years the young singer was introduced to jazz and made a number of R&B singles before emerging as a vocalist in a rock band.

From then on she emerged as a solo artist creating legendary hits such as Pearl' s a Singer, Sunshine After The Rain and singing show-stopping renditions of Nights in White Satin and Lilac Wine.

At 56 she has no intention of retiring or settling for old favourites but has set about creating new material including rend-itions of Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit - hence the album's title - and even John Lennon's How.

Elkie Brooks performs at Kendal Leisure Centre on July 16.

To book a seat call 01539-729511.