San Diego has many gifted blues musicians, but few match the versatility of virtuoso guitarist Robin Henkel. A perennial at local street fairs and festivals, Henkel is perhaps best known in his guise of solo acoustic country blues performer, perched at the edge of his chair, practically preaching the lyrics. However, that only takes in one aspect of his music. While his shows and albums — regardless of the size of his backing group — are always rooted in the blues, depending on the gig, his sound can also take in dashes of bossa nova, funk, jazz and swing. The unifying factor is an infectious sense of rhythm, which gets the feet tapping in his acoustic mode and gets the dance floor jumping when he has a backing group. His latest offering, Robin Henkel with Horns, happens at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge on Monday, May 24. “This is music you can dance to — swing and blues dance numbers,” Henkel said. He considers his latest band a career high point. “After 37 years in the music business, my horn band is the project I am most excited about,” Henkel said. “For our Humphrey’s performance, it’ll all be material that is perfect for swing dancers, to cite an example. “But this group, featuring Dave Castel de Oro and Troy Jennings (saxophone and flute), Eric Sider (trumpet), Rod Ratelle (bass) and Kevin Koch (drums), also allows me to stretch out my musical chops, a lot, so we can also do sit-down concerts when appropriate,” he said. “A typical set features arrangements of my own original music, and then we expand into compositions by Duke Ellington, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Miles Davis and many others,” he said. Henkel first came to music through his family, learning the ukulele as his initial instrument. “Mom and dad could play,” he said. “We would sing together. That’s probably one of the ultimate bonds between a parent and child and it really brought our family together.” Henkel’s father was a particular influence, specializing in hobo songs like “Big Rock Candy Mountain” and songs about trains, but it was a 1962 concert by blues legend Josh White that cemented Robin Henkel’s career path. “That concert just floored me,” he said. “I knew there was a sound I heard in my head as a kid, and there it was. I didn’t know there was such a thing as ‘blues’ at the time, but everything from his presence to the way he played lead guitar licks seriously impressed me.” When he is not touring or recording, Henkel continues to spread the word about the blues, teaching guitar to students at all levels of skill. Past students include Anna Troy, Cindy Lee Berryhill and Annie Dru. “I simply wouldn’t be the musician I am today without Robin’s guidance early on,” Troy said. “I took guitar lessons, but everything about him is a learning experience — from the way he works with audiences to the songs he plays. I know he puts a lot of time and effort into his music, but he makes it all seem effortless.” While Henkel will continue performing shows with his new group, he’s already looking ahead to new projects, including an album of duets with performers like Billy Watson and Nathan James. “I like do to do a lot of different things,” Henkel said. “People ask me all the time what my favorite songs, genres or groups are, out of all the things I get involved in. “The answer is everything,” he said. “I like bouncing it all around. The variety keeps things interesting.” After nearly four decades of performing, Henkel said he feels he is just getting revved-up. “When you’ve been playing for as long as I have, there’s going to be a lot of ups and downs,” Henkel said. “But I don’t think I’ve ever been in a better place when it comes to music.” Robin Henkel with Horns happens at 7 p.m. May 24 at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. The show is for those 21 and up with the cover to be determined. For more information, visit www.humphreysbackstagelive.com.