Blues artist John Hammond kicks off a North American tour in support of his forthcoming album, “Wicked Grin” (Pointblank/Virgin), on March 3, according to tour organizers. Dates are scheduled through early April.

Hammond has also lined up a few festival appearances in June and September.

“Wicked Grin” is due to hit stores on March 13. Though performed by Hammond, all but one of the album’s 13 tracks were written or co-written by Tom Waits [ tickets ], who also produced the album. The two first met in the mid-‘70s when Waits opened a show for Hammond in Arizona.

"Since I first heard Tom play, on a show with him in 1974, I have been in awe of his talent," Hammond said in a press release. "His ability to put across his songs so effectively and dynamically is overwhelming."

Hammond’s debut album was released in the early ‘60s on Vanguard Records. Over the course of his nearly 40-year career, he has worked with a roster of artists that includes Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Bill Wyman, Dr. John, Charlie Musselwhite and John Lee Hooker.