Word is growing about Adrian Byron Burns, an expatriate US bluesman.

It would be hard to find a more dedicated live performer on the circuit.

Blues veteran Paul Jones ranks him with Eric Bibb and Keb Mo. As finea guitarist as them, healso possesses a stunning baritone voice.

He has been with a couple of major labels, including EMI, and the experience doubtless encouraged him to run his own, with nine CDsproduced so far.

The majority of his songs are original, with a few covers of great tracks by Jimi Hendrix and Bill Withers, though even those are too contemporary for some.

"I once had an argument at a festival because some of my music was 'not blues,'" he says. "My background is middle-class Washington DC, I can't pretend to sing about cotton fields.

"I sing about what I know. I'm not gonna pretend to be Muddy Waters or Howlin' Wolf - though they were great."

This will be Burns' first appearance at The Greys. His good friend John Renbourn played there recently and passed on the word about the venue's dedication to good acoustic music.

Burns has made many friends in the live scene, including jazz guitarist Jim Mullen.

Former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman also has a nose for quality; Burns has appeared live and on CDs with Wyman's Rhythm Kings.

"Bill asked me if I'd do some stuff in the studio after hearing a CD of mine. I became an 'honorary Rhythm King'. I did supports too - though two years was enough."

He could do without the commercial interests that would foist a dozen Pop Idols on us if we let them.

"There's so much ignorance and indifference in the industry. The business doesn't want music, it wants formulas.

"Ellington and Basie developed their art playing night after night. If it was an open market, quality would sell.

"I feel radio is censored. Look at Richard Thompson - a major artist in the States. When he toured England, the BBC played none of his music."

Burns' gig will doubtless be a special occasion.

"I never plan. I wing it, reacting to my crowd. I throw something out and see what I get back. It is a relationship for the night, a blind date. I like surprises."

For more information, call The Greys on 01273 680734.