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John Hammond Weaves the Fabric of American Rock N’ Blues

Rockport, MA – Profoundly influential blues artist John Hammond will perform at The Shalin Liu Performance Center on Friday, December 12th. Hammond has been a blues fixture for decades and recently joined hallowed company as an inductee into the Blues Hall of Fame. The soulful Grammy winner is known as a consummate triple threat musician (on vocals, guitar, and harmonica), who’s gutsy blues vocals evoke gritty roadhouse memories.   Boston’s rising star Amy Black will open the show. Tickets for this concert start at $29.

Mr. Hammond, a blues legend with a voice like Robert Johnson’s and a demeanor that belies his tear-it-up might before an audience, has a history of being on hand during significant cultural moments.

John has so many stories to tell, including putting the band together for the young Jimi Hendrix that launched his international career.  In fact, Hammond is famously the only person who ever had both Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix in his band at the same time, during a five-night stint at the Gaslight Café in New York City in 1966. It was also John’s recording session with Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson and Levon Helm which led to Bob Dylan hiring those same players, later to become known as The Band.   Bob Dylan reputedly asked John’s advice on some guitarists. John invited Bob to his session with the Hawks and as they say, “the rest is history.”

John Hammond has become a legend in his own right. He’s garnered 8 Grammy nominations, including a Grammy win, multiple blues music awards, acoustic artist of the year, and blues hall of fame inductee.  Hammond’s history is a who’s who of Blues, and includes performances or recordings with Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Duane Allman, Mike Bloomfield, JJ Cale, Tom Waits, The Band, John Lee Hooker, Dr. John and many, many more. He is known as the embodiment of the quintessential acoustic Blues troubadour, always serving tradition by pouring his heart and soul into full-bodied interpretations of the classics through the simple combination of brilliant guitar, rack harmonica, and intensely expressive vocals.

“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,” says Tom Waits.  “He’s a great force of nature. John sounds like a big train coming. He chops them all down.”

**Interviews available upon request.  Contact Seth McNally / seth@meproductions.net**

Advance Tickets for the John Hammond concert are on sale for $29, $39, & $49. To purchase tickets, visit the Shalin Liu Box Office- 35 Main St., Rockport, MA or call 978-546-7391, or online at www.rockportmusic.org