Influential American blues artist John Hammond, whose six-decade career preserved and reinterpreted traditional blues for modern audiences, has died at the age of 83.

Hammond's death on February 28, 2026 was confirmed by longtime collaborator and friend Paul James, who said he received the news from Hammond's wife Marla.

Further details surrounding the cause and location of his death have not yet been disclosed.

Across more than 60 years of recording and touring, Hammond built a reputation as one of the most authentic interpreters of acoustic blues outside its original Southern roots.

Performing variously as John Hammond, John P.

Hammond and John Hammond Jr., he remained committed to the raw, stripped-back traditions of Delta and Chicago blues while influencing generations of musicians who followed.

Commercial success was never the central measure of Hammond's career.

Instead, he cultivated a devoted global audience and the deep respect of fellow musicians who valued his commitment to authenticity.

Artists across blues and rock circles collaborated with him or contributed to his recordings, recognizing his role as both interpreter and custodian of a musical tradition.

A documentary tribute featuring live performances and intimate interviews with Hammond will be released under the title Gettin' The Blues: John Hammond.

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