Steve Kimock & Friends, Wednesday, October 9, 8:00 p.m., at Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St., Somerville.

By Jim Clark

Steve Kimock has, in the near 40 years that he has been working as a professional musician, earned the respect and admiration of not only a loyal fan following, but that of his peers as well. He is, in every sense of the term, a musician’s musician.

Somerville music fans will have a treat in store for them as Steve Kimock & Friends pay a performing visit to Johnny D’s next Wednesday, October 9.

Although perhaps not a household name as many “guitar gods” might be, his creativity and skill is legendary among those in the know who have been fortunate enough to have discovered him.

Kimock has worked with some of the biggest names in the business, and the late lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, regarded Kimock as his own favorite guitarist.

Kimock grew up with strong musical influences and began playing guitar at a very early age.

A native of Bethlehem, PA, he played with a number of high school bands there before heading to northern California in 1974 to seek higher artistic ground.

Kimock blended in to the Bay Area music scene beautifully, playing informally with area regulars and folded in and out of groups freely, casually searching for the right combination of talents befitting his personal taste and vision.

There was The Underdogs, featuring woodwind wizard Martin Fierro, and also Heart of Gold, that included former Grateful Dead members Keith and Donna Godchaux and drummer Greg Anton.

In 1984 Kimock and Anton formed the band Zero, which also featured Quicksilver Messenger Service guitarist John Cippolina.

Zero gathered a large and loyal following before its breakup, and it was in that time that Kimock developed his signature fluid improvisational style.

Fast forward some 30 years later and that same engaging style is present and thriving, with a new lineup of musical friends and collaborators.

Joining in with Kimock is funk-rock legend Bernie Worrel, one of the founding members of Parliament/Funkadelic. Kimock’s son, John Morgan Kimock, has played drums in his father’s group for years. Wally Ingram (Sheryl Crow, David Lindley) and bassist Andy Hess round out the combo.

Kimock is a man who has worked with some of the most sensationally brilliant artists of our time. Names like The Other Ones, Phil Lesh & Friends, the Rhythm Devils featuring Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, Bruce Hornsby, Merl Saunders, The Allman Brothers, Angélique Kidjo, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Miles, Derek Trucks, Elvin Bishop, Grace Potter, Grace Slick, Jorma Kaukonen, Keller Williams, Little Feat, Nicky Hopkins, Norton Buffalo, Papa John Creach, Peter Frampton, all members of Phish, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Stephen Perkins, Steve Winwood, Todd Rundgren and Warren Haynes, among many others.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn first-hand what so many others already know: Kimock has been there, and he can do that. This performance is sure to be a treat for those who want to get there too.