With his balladic voice and brooding good looks, Curtis Stigers has won fans with every venture.

But, following what he considers to have been a detour (if a very lucrative one) in his career, the man who rocketed to success in 1991 with his debut album has now returned to his jazz roots.

Stigers first began his love affair with the music in his teens, when he was taught and nurtured by jazz legend Gene Harris.

"Gene let me sit in when I was 15 to 21 and was so warm and embracing," Stigers says of his old mentor. "Most of all, he taught me that music is always about what you love and how you put yourself into it."

However, Stigers achieved his great renown as a pop idol rather than a jazz singer, appearing alongside such stars as Elton John, Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart, as well as scoring hits with songs such as I Wonder Why and You're All That Matters To Me.

Despite his great success, the platinum-selling Stigers admits: "It wasn't what I planned."

Now, following his appearance on a world tour with Barry Manilow, Stigers is touring the UK showcasing songs from his new album You Inspire Me, the Sunday Times jazz CD of the year.

His performance will include covers of an unusual variety of musical legends, from Bob Dylan to Irving Berlin, all given the special Stigers treatment.

"My career has always been about striving to find another way to do things, another story to tell," he says. "I just can't stand still."

Starts 8pm, £16.50. Call 01403 750220