John Hammond At Chan's Tonight

Tonight John Hammond returns to Chan's with his soulful and compelling vocals and guitar playing.

Hammond has come a long way since his first self titled debut album in 1962. His newest album "Rough and Tough" was a 2010 Grammy nominee that climbed to #13 on the Billboard Blues Chart. In some ways this album takes you back to that very first recording Hammond did nearly 50 years ago.

Hammonds career has spanned three decades starting with the first blues renaissance of the 1960s where there were only a handful of white blues musicians. Since then, his guitar playing has become stronger with his expression deepened by the years.

As a performer, Hammond crafted a niche for himself that is completely his own: the solo guitar man, harmonica in a rack around his neck, reinterpreting classic blues songs from the 30s, '40s, and '50s.

Yet, he's also a capable bandleader who plays wonderful electric guitar. This guitar-playing and ensemble work can be heard on Found True Love and Got Love If You Want It, both for the Pointblank/Virgin label during the mid 90's.

Hammond has never professed to be a songwriter, although he is a multi-dimensional artist. He wanted a wider audience and performed classic songs that many had forgotten about.

Whether from his base in northern New Jersey, with a band or by himself, Hammond can do it all. Seeing him perform live, touring around the United States, Canada or Europe, one gets the sense that the best is yet to come from this bluesman.

Showtimes: 8 p.m. $25 and 10 p.m. $20 Both: $28.