Much-lauded blues musician Stefan George returns to Hawaii Public Radio's Atherton Performing Arts Studio tonight for an intimate performance of his solo acoustic work.

A staple of music festivals in both the United States and Germany known mostly for his blues work, George's other projects include an electric trio The Conrads, a guitar and hammered dulcimer duo called Arm & Hammer and a folk band Songtower. His 10-strong catalog of original blues and folk releases includes a disc of live performances recorded during a 2005 tour of Germany.

George began playing guitar at age 11. By age 13, he'd made his stage debut at a highly unusual venue for a budding teenage musician: New York state's Green Haven State Prison. Inspired by blues legends Doc Watson, "Mississippi" John Hurt and Brownie McGhee, George went on to study with musicians such as John Jackson, Steve James and Del Ray.

At 19, he hitchhiked Europe playing gigs in cafes and pubs — including a stint with a house band backing a sword dancer in a Vegas-style nightclub in Turkey. With partner Lavina White, George founded the dance-crazed world beat R&B band Brain Damage Orchestra in 1983.

Since setting his home base in Tucson, Ariz., George has won Tucson Area Music Awards for solo artist, acoustic guitar, songwriter and acoustic ensemble. He has also been inducted into the Tucson Musicians Hall of Fame and The Arizona Blues Hall of Fame.

George has opened for and performed with an array of musicians that includes James Cotton, Mose Allison, Pete Seeger, Taj Mahal, Junior Lockwood, Loudon Wainwright III, Little Feat, Elvin Bishop, and many others. George's recent performance highlights include slots on the syndicated radio show Beale Street Caravan, the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in Colorado, the Mammoth Lakes Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza in California and the Silver City Blues Festival in New Mexico.

His performance resume also includes a couple of live concerts for Hawaii Public Radio in 2005 and 2006.

George's current CD, "Songs From the Loser's Bar," is a collection of original works based on the concept of taverns and the people who live in them.

Other discs by George can be found on the Blue Bhikku label.