Mumbai-born vocalist and harmonica master Aki Kumar is a visionary artist, blending traditional Indian music with a singular brand of Chicago blues, known as "the only Bombay Blues Man." He makes a stop at the Joe Henderson Lab to help commemorate the Hindu Festival of Lights with a joyous program of celebratory music.
In a story that almost sounds like a movie plot, Kumar left India and moved to Silicon Valley in hopes of working as a software engineer, but upon hearing American blues, his life changed forever. Fully immersing himself in the blues scene and culture, Kumar paid dues in the Bay Area's clubs, fully assimilating the art form with the goal of being seen as a "legitimate" blues artist, when he realized he was denying the influence of his own heritage. This sea change was evident on Kumar's 2014 debut Don't Hold Back, but was truly apparent on his 2016 Little Village Foundation release, Aki Goes to Bollywood, fully blending Bollywood pop and traditional Indian elements with the blues.
Kumar's 2018 follow-up, Hindi Man Blues, further integrated his multiple inspirations with biting social commentary, and he has consistently elevated his live performances, which have included multiple sets at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and tours of Russia and Scandinavia.
~~~~~~~~~
Aki Kumar left his native home in Mumbai, India for the United States with the intention of working as a software engineer. Then he discovered the sounds of the blues, and his life changed dramatically.
One of the hardest working artists on the music scene today, this San Jose-based musician has successfully blended elements of Indian music into his musical and visual presentation, making for a multi-cultural mash-up that sounds like no one else, yet never loses touch with the inspiration it draws from the blues. He has made multiple appearances at The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival, has been featured on PRI "The World," and has toured in Russia, Scandinavia and South America.
Kumar's Little Village Foundation releases Aki Goes To Bollywood (2016) and Hindi Man Blues (2018) are considered ground-breaking albums that have garnered international critical acclaim. In 2020, Kumar made major news with the world-wide launch of his album Dilruba on Sony Music India. Kumar kicked off 2021 with the release of an uplifting reggae-infused single "Zindagi" (Life).
show less
In a story that almost sounds like a movie plot, Kumar left India and moved to Silicon Valley in hopes of working as a software engineer, but upon hearing American blues, his life changed forever. Fully immersing himself in the blues scene and culture, Kumar paid dues in the Bay Area's clubs, fully assimilating the art form with the goal of being seen as a "legitimate" blues artist, when he realized he was denying the influence of his own heritage. This sea change was evident on Kumar's 2014 debut Don't Hold Back, but was truly apparent on his 2016 Little Village Foundation release, Aki Goes to Bollywood, fully blending Bollywood pop and traditional Indian elements with the blues.
Kumar's 2018 follow-up, Hindi Man Blues, further integrated his multiple inspirations with biting social commentary, and he has consistently elevated his live performances, which have included multiple sets at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and tours of Russia and Scandinavia.
~~~~~~~~~
Aki Kumar left his native home in Mumbai, India for the United States with the intention of working as a software engineer. Then he discovered the sounds of the blues, and his life changed dramatically.
One of the hardest working artists on the music scene today, this San Jose-based musician has successfully blended elements of Indian music into his musical and visual presentation, making for a multi-cultural mash-up that sounds like no one else, yet never loses touch with the inspiration it draws from the blues. He has made multiple appearances at The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival, has been featured on PRI "The World," and has toured in Russia, Scandinavia and South America.
Kumar's Little Village Foundation releases Aki Goes To Bollywood (2016) and Hindi Man Blues (2018) are considered ground-breaking albums that have garnered international critical acclaim. In 2020, Kumar made major news with the world-wide launch of his album Dilruba on Sony Music India. Kumar kicked off 2021 with the release of an uplifting reggae-infused single "Zindagi" (Life).
Mumbai-born vocalist and harmonica master Aki Kumar is a visionary artist, blending traditional Indian music with a singular brand of Chicago blues, known as "the only Bombay Blues Man." He makes a stop at the Joe Henderson Lab to help commemorate the Hindu Festival of Lights with a joyous program of celebratory music.
In a story that almost sounds like a movie plot, Kumar left India and moved to Silicon Valley in hopes of working as a software engineer, but upon hearing American blues, his life changed forever. Fully immersing himself in the blues scene and culture, Kumar paid dues in the Bay Area's clubs, fully assimilating the art form with the goal of being seen as a "legitimate" blues artist, when he realized he was denying the influence of his own heritage. This sea change was evident on Kumar's 2014 debut Don't Hold Back, but was truly apparent on his 2016 Little Village Foundation release, Aki Goes to Bollywood, fully blending Bollywood pop and traditional Indian elements with the blues.
Kumar's 2018 follow-up, Hindi Man Blues, further integrated his multiple inspirations with biting social commentary, and he has consistently elevated his live performances, which have included multiple sets at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and tours of Russia and Scandinavia.
~~~~~~~~~
Aki Kumar left his native home in Mumbai, India for the United States with the intention of working as a software engineer. Then he discovered the sounds of the blues, and his life changed dramatically.
One of the hardest working artists on the music scene today, this San Jose-based musician has successfully blended elements of Indian music into his musical and visual presentation, making for a multi-cultural mash-up that sounds like no one else, yet never loses touch with the inspiration it draws from the blues. He has made multiple appearances at The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival, has been featured on PRI "The World," and has toured in Russia, Scandinavia and South America.
Kumar's Little Village Foundation releases Aki Goes To Bollywood (2016) and Hindi Man Blues (2018) are considered ground-breaking albums that have garnered international critical acclaim. In 2020, Kumar made major news with the world-wide launch of his album Dilruba on Sony Music India. Kumar kicked off 2021 with the release of an uplifting reggae-infused single "Zindagi" (Life).
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In a story that almost sounds like a movie plot, Kumar left India and moved to Silicon Valley in hopes of working as a software engineer, but upon hearing American blues, his life changed forever. Fully immersing himself in the blues scene and culture, Kumar paid dues in the Bay Area's clubs, fully assimilating the art form with the goal of being seen as a "legitimate" blues artist, when he realized he was denying the influence of his own heritage. This sea change was evident on Kumar's 2014 debut Don't Hold Back, but was truly apparent on his 2016 Little Village Foundation release, Aki Goes to Bollywood, fully blending Bollywood pop and traditional Indian elements with the blues.
Kumar's 2018 follow-up, Hindi Man Blues, further integrated his multiple inspirations with biting social commentary, and he has consistently elevated his live performances, which have included multiple sets at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and tours of Russia and Scandinavia.
~~~~~~~~~
Aki Kumar left his native home in Mumbai, India for the United States with the intention of working as a software engineer. Then he discovered the sounds of the blues, and his life changed dramatically.
One of the hardest working artists on the music scene today, this San Jose-based musician has successfully blended elements of Indian music into his musical and visual presentation, making for a multi-cultural mash-up that sounds like no one else, yet never loses touch with the inspiration it draws from the blues. He has made multiple appearances at The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival, has been featured on PRI "The World," and has toured in Russia, Scandinavia and South America.
Kumar's Little Village Foundation releases Aki Goes To Bollywood (2016) and Hindi Man Blues (2018) are considered ground-breaking albums that have garnered international critical acclaim. In 2020, Kumar made major news with the world-wide launch of his album Dilruba on Sony Music India. Kumar kicked off 2021 with the release of an uplifting reggae-infused single "Zindagi" (Life).
show less
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