Dov Hammer Records Chicago Blues Album, Celebrates Musical Journey

CHICAGO, Illinois — For Dov Hammer, a harmonica master and blues aficionado, recording his ninth album in the Windy City symbolized a musical pilgrimage to the roots of American blues. Hammer, who has dedicated nearly three decades to introducing this genre to Israeli audiences, released Exile – The Chicago Blues Sessions on April 6, 2025.

“The Chicago blues has always been at the heart of my music, the driving force behind my desire to be a musician,” said Hammer, 57, reflecting on the influences that shaped his career. “At the age of 12, I saw John Lee Hooker at Maxwell Street Market in the movie The Blues Brothers and it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I knew I wanted to play that music.”

Having made aliyah with his family from Chicago when he was seven, Hammer’s journey took him back to the U.S. during his high school years and after completing military service. It was during a more recent recording session for a rock-oriented album with his longtime collaborator Assaf Rozof that the idea to produce an album with authentic Chicago blues musicians emerged.

“I had this blues song, ‘Genuine,’ that didn’t really fit with the feel of the rest of the songs,” Hammer explained. “It sounded like a Willie Dixon Chicago kind of song, so I thought, ‘Why don’t I try to record it in Chicago?’”

Planning a visit in summer 2023 to attend a harmonica event and reconnect with friends, Hammer reached out to guitarist Dave Specter, a well-established figure in the Chicago blues scene, to produce the recording session. “I wanted to make an album that had that classic sound, with musicians that know the music so well that you don’t have to explain anything to them,” he said.

Hammer elaborated on the elements that distinguish Chicago blues: “It’s what happened when the musicians from Mississippi moved to the city in the 1940s and ’50s. They transitioned from acoustic to electric instruments, which was the beginning of modern blues and rock & roll.”

For the session, Specter assembled a lineup of seasoned musicians including drummer Marty Bender, pianist Jon Kattke, and bassist Rodrigo Mantovani. Along with his original song, Hammer decided to record Little Walter‘s iconic “Last Night” to ensure familiarity. “Listening to the playback, we were elated,” Hammer recalled. “They all looked at me and said, ‘Well, we have some more time, let’s do another song.’”

Surprised but ready, Hammer suggested an old James Cotton track, “Take a Message,” and the band recorded it with ease. Following this fruitful session, Hammer returned to Israel with three songs, but life took an unexpected turn on October 7.

In September of the same year, Hammer returned to Chicago to reunite with several of the same musicians to complete the album. Although not previously acquainted with Hammer, the musicians were respectful and enthusiastic. “I think they got a sense that I knew what I was doing,” he noted. “It was a little daunting to have someone who played with Buddy Guy ask me, ‘Is what I’m playing ok?’”

While aware of Hammer’s Israeli background, the musicians preferred to focus on the music rather than delve into the geopolitics surrounding the war in Gaza. “They asked about it a little, but like most Americans, they didn’t follow closely and weren’t deeply involved,” Hammer said.

A notable guest on the album was vocalist Deirdre Hart, who had previously performed in Israel with Hammer’s band. “When I suggested bringing her in for the session, I was told she was semi-retired. But when I called her, she agreed, saying, ‘I’m only going to do this for you – because you took me to Jerusalem.’”

Although a typical album release party and tour are off the table due to the Chicago musicians coming to Israel, Hammer is incorporating songs from Exile into his live performances with the All Stars. His next show is scheduled for April 25 at Shabloul in Tel Aviv.

Reflecting on his journey, Hammer stated, “I knew I was a fish out of water when I started playing the blues in Israel, but I didn’t care if anybody else liked it or not; it’s what I wanted to do. I can’t say I made it mainstream in Israel, but it’s 30 years later, and I’m still playing to receptive audiences.”

It appears Dov Hammer has finally come home, no longer in exile from the music he loves.