HE WAS once a top Hollywood action hero.But today, Steve Seagal's career has taken a somewhat unusual twist and he is heading to Ipswich to perform in a blues concert.

HE WAS once a top Hollywood action hero.

But today, Steve Seagal's career has taken a somewhat unusual twist and he is heading to Ipswich to perform in a blues concert.

The actor is best known for his blockbusting stunts and martial arts but it has now become clear he has a third love in the guitar.

Seagal plays the instrument after he grew up surrounded by blues music and his songs have been featured in several of his movies. He has one of the biggest vintage guitar collections in the world.

His debut album Songs from a Crystal Cave was released last year and the pop, world and blues music mix received critical acclaim in the US. It features duets with the likes of Stevie Wonder.

This year, the follow up Mojo Priest is heading in the same direction.

Seagal spent the summer touting America and Europe and the tour, with his band Thunderbox, continues next year, seeing him visit Ipswich along with the likes of Copenhagen, London and Edinburgh.

Mojo Priest is a soulful collection of new and old sounds re-made. Seagal and Thunderbox joined up with blues legends to record the tracks.

Seagal said: “The blues is a feeling that comes from deep inside a person.

“For many people, just listening to the blues can be an emotional release, if not a life changing spiritual experience. That is why I love it so much.”

Earlier this year, Seagal was unveiled as the latest actor to appear in a comedy advert for mobile phone network Orange.

The 1988 film Above the Law and 1992 film Under Siege are among his blockbusters. Despite pursuing his music career, he is still continuing film-related endeavors.

N Steven Seagal and Thunderbox will perform at the Ipswich Regent in February next year. He will also be at Norwich's University of East Anglia in March.

Seagal is a seventh degree black belt aikido (Japanese martial art) master