John Hammond

With a recording release for almost every year John Hammond has played professionally (40), one which brought him a Grammy and the last four which have been Grammy nominated, and with tens of thousands of live performances under his belt, it is significant that John has the ability to bring a freshness to each performance. The passion he brings to the blues is a testament to the dedication and reverence he has for the musicians who first walked the path he has chosen to follow.

Tom Wait’s, when asked about John said, “John’s sound is so compelling, complete, symmetrical and soulful with just his voice, guitar and harmonica, it is at first impossible to imagine improving it.” Wait’s, as producer, composer and lyricist in Wicked Grin, John’s new CD from PointBlank/Virgin, was able to bring Hammond’s unique sound into the realm of his own singular musical vision. The result is a rich and dynamic synthesis of the warm, rootsy style Hammond has honed. Wait’s continued, “I’ve been a fan of John’s since his first record and was proud to be a part of this, [Wicked Grin]. He’s a great force of nature. John sounds like a big train coming. He chops them all down.” Legendary blues man T Bone Burnett wrote, “John Hammond is a master...He is a virtuoso. A Conjurer...A Modernist...John is in a very small circle of men with a guitar and a harmonica. Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf, Bob Dylan. The guitar is an orchestra. He’s sending messages. Storytelling. All mystery. Protection. The language goes out through the night...The Big Boom. Boom the room. Gone, Johnny, gone.”