TORONTO - The fact she rarely records or performs led England's Guardian newspaper to call Mary Margaret O'Hara "one of modern music's most mysterious creatures."

The last time we saw and heard the inimitable singer -- who R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe called "one of the most powerful singers I've ever heard ... a performer of astonishing force" -- was at Hugh's Room last November when she was part of a tribute to Tom Waits.

Singer Yvette Tollar, who conceptualized the Women In Jazz series, has managed to do what very few have done -- inspire O'Hara to sing in a club again. O'Hara will be joining Tollar at Lula Lounge next Wednesday, and they'll be backed by an all-star band that includes guitarist Kevin Breit, violin virtuoso Hugh Marsh and bassist Rich Brown.

"I can identify with Mary in that she's never bound by genres," Tollar says. "Her wildly successful album, Miss America, is alternative pop/rock, but if she sings a folk tune or a Christmas carol it will make you melt and regardless of genre you know it's her immediately.

"I heard Mary sing live for the first time at the Canwest Cabaret festival," she adds. "Her version of In A Sentimental Mood just stopped me in my tracks. She seems to have an unobstructed connection with the divine and I thought, 'I hope to have a chance to play with her one day.'"

Tollar says the two hung out at a jam session after the show, exchanged e-mail addresses, and O'Hara came to her CD release concert a few months later. That's when Tollar proposed working together.

"Mary is gracious and warm and said yes right away," she says. "Although, it did take over a year to book the date with her."

And what can we expect to hear at the show?

"There'll be some improv, we're also going to do some tunes from my CD (Ima), some Kevin Breit tunes, and some favourite tunes from movies."

8:30 p.m. $20. 1585 Dundas St. W. 416.588.0307