Gina Sicilia said she wants to bring the blues to a new generation of listeners.

"I think more people my age would really warm to the blues if they were encouraged to listen to it," said the 21-year-old Philadelphia-based singer and songwriter. "Some people who sell music naturally assume younger people won't like it."

She's not just talking the talk, either.

Her debut release, "Allow Me To Confess," is simply irresistible, and could inspire an emo fan to covert to the blues in a heartbeat.

The CD is a swanky confection of blues and R&B with saucy backbeats and rhythms that reflect Sicilia's eclectic tastes and spirited style.

"The blues is kind of a dying art," she said Wednesday during a phone interview. "A lot of the greats have died, and I think the music needs to be preserved as much as possible."

That's why, in addition to writing music and performing, Sicilia studies journalism at Temple University.

"I'd like to start a blues magazine geared toward younger people," she said. "I think it would give the music the kind of exposure it deserves.

"One time I sang at a benefit at Temple, and most of the people there were around my age, and they got into the music," Sicilia said. "I think lots of younger people would if they would just take time and listen. The music's everywhere — in movies, commercials. They'd find it more familiar than they'd think."

She wrote all but three of the 11 tracks on "Allow Me To Confess," including the sassy "That's a Pretty Good Love," the sweetly vulnerable "Try Me" and the sultry "You Set My Heart on Fire."

"I write every day," she said. "I had enough material for the CD, but there were three great songs by wonderful writers that we wanted to include — 'That's a Pretty Good Love,' 'Try Me' and 'Pushover.'

"And during the recording process, I was such a perfectionist," she said. "I was worried about making everything perfect and recorded songs over and over again. But I'm really happy with the results."

The CD was released on the SwingNation label, owned by her guitarist and producer, Dan Gross, a 2007 Blues Music Awards nominee for his solo release, "Take The Gamble."

"Dan's such a talented musician," Sicilia said. "He interpreted my songs in unimaginable ways and just proved to be a very caring producer."

Releasing her own CD is like a dream come true for the young performer, who said she wanted to sing since she was 2 years old.

"My family loved music," she said. "So it's no surprise, at least to me. My parents are proud of me, definitely supportive — though naturally, they always hope I'm able to make a living."

Sicilia grew up in Bucks County, with her father, John Sicilia, a native Sicilian, and her German/Irish mother, Pat. As music lovers, they exposed their daughter to '60s pop, R&B, doo-wop, ethnic music and everything in between. She started singing at age 2 — around the same time she learned the alphabet.

"My parents listened to everything," she said. "So, I listen to everything."

Sicilia giggled and said she even listened to Mariah Carey when she was little — but not anymore.

"Now I love Sam Cooke. In fact, it would have been great to sing a duet with him. I like gospel, Aretha Franklin and Etta James," she said. "What I listen to makes up a long list."

Amazingly, she's had no formal training as a singer, even though her voice is mature and has a polished quality that makes her sound like an industry veteran.

"I learned through listening," Sicilia said. "In the beginning I'd try to copy what I heard, then, finally, I discovered my own voice.

"Whatever I'm singing — straight blues, R&B or jazz — it's my version of the music," Sicilia said. "I never try to sound like anyone else. I can only sound like me."

Gina Sicilia, Sat., 10 p.m., Cherry's Back Alley Bar and Grill, 320 N. Cherry St., 293-9597.

E-mail Carla DiFonzo at cdifonzo@lnpnews.com.