When I were just a lad, I remember big brother John bringing home records that sounded like nothing I'd heard before, a mysterious voice from another world, sung by people with exotic names like 'Leadbelly' and 'Muddy Waters'. I was initially intrigued and rapidly addicted to the blues.

Then, on moving to Weymouth, what do I find? A thriving blues/r&b scene here and in Bridport, into which I rapidly became absorbed.

This area's devotion to the blues is rewarded with the visit of Big Bill Morganfield and his band on Friday night at the Pavilion Theatre (The Esplanade, Weymouth, doors open 7.30pm, tickets £12.50, £10 concessions, bookable from the box office on 01305 783225).

I've had the honour to be a part of Bill's touring band for the last two years, and I can tell you that this is the real deal.

Bill is a mesmeric and charismatic performer, a huge stage presence. Being the son of a blues legend such as Muddy Waters is something to live up to, but Bill carries it off in style.

His massive voice is pure blues, to which he adds searing slide and regular guitar work.

Bill only began to play the blues after his father's death in 1983, but his rise has been spectacular. He released his dbut CD, Rising Son, in 1999 to critical acclaim, such as this from the New York Post: "This is one of the most impressive debuts in a number of years."

He won the year 2000 WC Handy Award for 'Best New Blues Artist', and last year released his second album, Ramblin' Mind, with special guest Taj Mahal.

I was unable to tour with Bill this year due to prior commitments with Ben Waters (no relation!), but from what I hear, I'm not being missed - Bill has brought over his bassist Tadd Walters from the USA.

As well as holding down the bottom end, Tadd plays mean blues harp and guitar.

Bill's shows start with an acoustic country blues set with Tadd, before the band - Smudge Smith on guitar and piano and Chris Page on drums - kicks in.

I strongly urge blues lovers not to miss this unique event, and that's not just because I'm promoting it, in association with Bluesnights. Honest!

Speaking of Ben Waters, as I was a couple of paragraphs back, there should be copies of his new CD, Shakin in the Makin, which features a piano duet with Jools Holland, on sale at the Pavilion on the night.

I mentioned Leadbelly earlier, which brings me to Lonnie Donegan... bear with me. Donegan appears tonight, also at the Weymouth Pavilion Theatre.

He is known chiefly for novelty hits such as My Old Man's A Dustman, but this is a disservice - Donegan was instrumental in bringing the sounds of the blues to British ears, releasing an authentic cover of Leadbelly's tale of smuggling - Rock Island Line - at the start of his career, and has championed roots music all his life.

The blues is the source of most forms of contemporary music, be it soul, gospel, rock or jazz. One of the finest exponents of the latter art around here is virtuoso guitarist Rob Koral.

Rob showcases his new CD, Somebody Said, at Dorchester Arts Centre, School Lane, The Grove, Dorchester on Saturday night (music from 8pm, admission £6.50).

He has assembled some of the finest jazzers around in Julie Lewis (keyboards), Rodney Teague (bass) and Sam Brown (drums/percussion) for the recording.

The album is a suite of Koral's original instrumental works, and it is a delight to the ear.

Rob's self-proclaimed influences (Alan Holdsworth, Joe Pass, and Martin Taylor among them) are evident, but his voice is his own. His compositions are highly original and faultlessly arranged.

Rob also eschews fretboard pyrotechnics in favour of melodic content, an approach echoed by the superb musicians that he's gathered around him.

If you can't make the concert but would like a copy of the album, give Rob a call on (01305) 776652.

That's all, folks - Marco returns next week.