AN intimate evening of laid-back blues and Americana is promised this week.

On Friday, the High Barn, in Great Bardfield, is presenting a double-bill of solo bluesmen, acclaimed Californian singer, guitarist and songwriter Guy Tortora and Essex's own Tim Aves.

Guy Tortora was born and raised in Pasadena, California, but is now based in London, from where he travels all over the UK and Europe, performing solo or with a band.

His music is often called Americana, but still owes a great deal to the blues scene from which he emerged and where he still plays dozens of club and festival gigs every year.

His most recent CD, 2008’s Living on Credit, was named by blues DJs and critics as one of the best releases of the year, featuring a combination of Tortora’s own sharply-observed songs and well-chosen interpretations of other writers’ work.

This will be his first visit to High Barn, but Tim Aves is well-known to Bardfield audiences who will remember him from three sold-out nights with his band, the Rockin’ Armadillos.

The Armadillos are no more, but Aves, twice voted Blues Personality of the Year in the Digital Blues Awards, is still gigging.

He performs solo and with a number of different lineups, including occasional reunions of his original band, veteran R’n’B act, Automatic Slim.

Tickets for Friday’s gig are £12 and doors open at 7.30pm.