The James Montgomery Band Returns to Chan's

The James Montgomery Band returns to Chan's on Saturday, April 30.

Montgomery is one of the most dynamic blues performers on the scene.

Expressed in songs with lyrics illustrating longing for a better life, lost loves and money, singing the blues enables one to overcome that sadness and lose those blues. It could also be described as rowdy dance music that celebrates pleasure and success or, as BB King sees it, "the blues is an expression of anger against shame and humiliation."

Blues music has its roots in struggles and lost loves, both of which are all too familiar to Montgomery. It's been said that when Montgomery plays his marmonica (aka) harp, 'he brings it on home.'

This Detroit native who now calls Newport, Rhode Island his home, has performed many times in and around New England. His on stage appeal is not just in his relationship with his harp, but the sparkle in his eye when he looks down at the audience. With a fitted black suit and perspiration dripping from his brow, Montgomery is a pleasure for the eyes as well as the ears.

His original band was formed back in 1970 while Montgomery was attending Boston University. It wasn't long before a multi-album deal with Capricorn Records placed his band along side two other Boston greats, Aerosmith and The J. Geils Band.

Over the years Montgomery has toured with the Allman Brothers, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen and Steve Miller. He's also played alongside BB King, Buddy Guy, Charlie Daniels, George Harrison, James Cotton, his very dear friend who he calls Dad: John Lee Hooker, Jr. Wells, Laverne Baker, Patti LaBelle and Peter Wolf. A few years ago after his show at Trax in Manhattan he even gave Mick Jagger a lesson on the harp.

To say that Montgomery is at the top of his game would be an understatement. Yet, he is humble and thankful for all of his success. He believes in order to have, you must also give back, which is why Montgomery is executive director of the Debi Blu Foundation, which helps musicians get much needed health coverage. Montgomery along with many other blues artists performs benefits to help fund this program.

Many musical artists fall prey to substance abuse, especially when they are out on the road. This was the case for legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter. Winter is grateful to Montgomery for helping him kick his substance abuse of drugs and alcohol, is now clean and sober.

Over the years the James Montgomery Band has been a spring board for many musicians including Billy Squire and Wayne Kramer of MC - 5, Jeff Golub of Rod Stewart, Jim McCarty of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels and many others.

The band now is tight with David Hull (Joe Perry Project, Aerosmith) on bass, Seth Pappas on drums and George McCann on guitar.

You may have seen Hull's Show at Chan's a few weeks back when he had his new CD release party Soul in Motion.

Shows are at 8 and 10 p.m.