AN AMERICAN institution comes to Bournemouth this week in the form of singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt.

Bonnie has built up a huge following over her four decades in the music industry and has sold more than 15 million albums.

Bonnie's UK tour coincides with the release of her retrospective album which features the most popular songs from her six Capitol albums, The Best of Bonnie Raitt on Capitol 1989-2003.

After forging an alliance with Capitol Records in 1989, Bonnie achieved new levels of success. She won four Grammys in 1990, including one for her duet with John Lee Hooker. Her 1991 album, Luck of the Draw, won three more Grammy's and she has continued to win them since then.

Bonnie is a pioneer in the music world. She co-founded the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, which works to improve royalties, financial conditions and recognition for a generation of R'n'B pioneers who she feels are owed a great deal.

She also initiated the Bonnie Raitt Project with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America which runs 200 clubs around the world to encourage underprivileged young people to play music.

Bournemouth International Centre, Thursday. Tickets: £26, offers available. Box office: 0870 1113000.