HER name may not be up in lights on the pop charts, yet Zoe Rahman is quietly going about her business as one of Britain’s finest young jazz musicians.

Since last year’s profile-boosting Mercury Award nomination, the gigs have been flowing with far more frequency for this highly talented pianist.

It seems the plaudits have been forthcoming in spades for her eclectic second album, Melting Pot, that demonstrates a versatile touch on the ivories.

"It was great to be nominated for the Mercury, people saw me in a different light after that and actually started talking about my music. I’ve always enjoyed doing my own thing and when something like that happens it does help with getting gigs which was a bit of struggle before then," laughed the Sydney born jazz star who grew up in the leafy Sussex countryside near Chichester.

As the 35-year-old added, it may well have been something a battle for recognition in a genre outside the mainstream but it’s a sacrifice she’s gladly made. Jazz may not have been the most obvious paths to tread but it’s beginning to pay off for her in style.

"I used to listen to quite a lot of 1980s music and classical composers. It took me quite a long time to get into jazz but it was going to see some live bands and hearing people like Miles Davies that really got me into it. "

Along the way she’s undoubtedly picked up some inspiration from within the family. Though her parents, including Bangladeshi father were never especially musical they have supported her efforts.

They bought an old upright piano when she was four which sparked an interest for youngster and her sister, who is now a professional classical pianist. Their brother Idris is a clarinettist who featured on her last album.

Studying music at Oxford University she then went on to win the prestigious Perrier Young Musician of the Year award at the end of the 1990s. From there her debut, The Cynic, followed swiftly on its heels. Despite gaining strong critical praise, this failed to translate into pure record sales. t would have been easy to have drifted into a safe zone of performing time-honoured standards but it’s not something Zoe ever desired.

"I think I would be doing this even If I wasn’t making any money from it as it’s all I’ve always wanted. The musical rewards are huge and you don’t mind those harder times," she added of her early career.

It seems the choices she has made for the third album underline a determination not to bow to convention. With her brother’s help the next set of tracks will be another musical melting pot of traditional Bangladeshi songs, film music from the 50’s and perhaps a dash of folk music for good measure.

Though she hasn’t much experience of Kent (staying overnight in an oast house is as far as it gets) she says that playing more intimate places such as the Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells are among her favourite kind of venues.

"I am looking forward to taking a holiday but I do love playing live, it’s why I got into music, to engage with people and see their reaction is great."

Anyone taking in her show at the Trinity will no doubt be lending Zoe and her band of seasoned musicians plenty of reasons to feel encouraged.

Zoe plays the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on Friday, June 29. Tickets are £11.50/£13.50. Box office 01892 678678.