A New York-based “musical force of nature” has paid tribute to a venue that she says helped keep music alive since the Covid pandemic.

Blues singer Sari Schorr will be performing at Highbury’s late night Grace venue in April.

“The future of live music has been under threat since the pandemic,” Sari says.

“We all need to support the work of such important venues as The Grace for keeping music alive."

Schorr is also using the tour in tribute to Magnum’s songwriter Tony Clarkin who died in January at 77, collecting donations for animal welfare at each show in his name.

She added: “The band also wanted to do something to pay tribute to the very British music legacy of Magnum. We’ve started rehearsing a cover of one of their great songs.”

Joining her band on drums at The Grace in Highbury Corner on April 27 are Lee Morris from Magnum and bass player Chris Cliff.

Ash Wilson, who toured Europe with Hollywood star Kiefer Sutherland, resumes on lead guitar for the UK tour.

Sari recalls how she has been told to ‘shut up and sing’ when speaking out on topics like America’s gun control, racism and equality — but still manages to get through it all.

“People are kind and compassionate,” she insists. “But hate drives discrimination.

“We cannot think creatively when we are under the guise of fear.”

Sari sees music and the arts being under attack while culture has always been “a beacon of freedom and unity” in society.

Her lyrics take on global issues. No line is random and no words are empty in what she writes “for those who are silenced and disenfranchised without a voice”. Her topics stand up to hatred while embracing life and forgiveness.

But she doesn’t stop with music. Sari was a first responder in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 and a volunteer aid worker after the Haiti earthquake in 2010.

Her UK tour dates also feature the only live performances of songs from the Billboard chart-topping Joyful Sky album that Sari worked on with blues guitarist Robin Trower.

Details of tickets for the April 27 gig at The Grace are on the “sarischorr.com” website.