Actor Hugh Laurie is no stranger to these parts. Last summer, the star of House made animpromptu appearance at a local jazz club. At the time, Laurie was filming the movie Tomorrowland with George Clooney (due for release later this year).

Now Laurie, an accomplished pianist, has announced a West Coast tour in support of his 2013 album Didn’t It Rain. Along with his group The Copper Bottom Band, Laurie will kick off the tour in Vancouver on May 20.

Didn’t It Rain is Laurie’s second album, and the follow-up to his 2011 debut album Let Them Talk. For Didn’t It Rain, Laurie covered songs dating back to early blues pioneers like W.C. Handy (“St Louis Blues”) and Jelly Roll Morton (“I Hate A Man Like You”) to more recent artists such as Dr. John (“Wild Honey”) and Alan Price of The Animals (“Changes”).

On his website, Laurie is quoted as saying: “I have resolved to forge on, deeper into the forest of American music that has enchanted me since I was a small boy. And the further I go, the more bewitched I become – both by the songs and by the people I have been lucky enough to play them with.”

House ran on Fox for eight seasons, from 2004-2012. Prior to the series, Laurie appeared in a number of British comedy series with Stephen Fry. For his role in House, Laurie won two Golden Globes and was nominated for six Emmys.

Prior to the West Coast tour, Laurie and band will tour Australia and New Zealand. European dates are planned for this summer.

The Copper Bottom Band includes David Piltch (bass), Vincent Henry (horns), Elizabeth Lea (trombone), Jean McClain (vocals), and Guatemalan singer/songwriter Gaby Moreno (vocals) – and is completed by Herman Matthews (drums) and Mark Goldenberg (guitar).

Hugh Laurie and The Copper Bottom Band play the Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe) May 20. Tickets on sale March 28 at ticketmaster.ca.