Aki Kumar on Chicago Blues, Bollywood Blues, Harmonica, and Performing

Aki Kumar fell in love with the blues and blues harmonica, but Bollywood pop is part of his music memory. This memory is creating what's likely to become a bonafide genre–Bollywood Blues. You can hear this on his latest album Aki Goes to Bollywood. Although Aki is of Indian decent, his bold move to mix the blues and Bollywood pop from his childhood started with his love of the Chicago blues sound. Although the final tracks of his first album Don't Hold Back were perhaps a foreshadowing of things to come. In the early days of his love affair with the blues, Aki focused on learning to play harp and performing blues classics. His rapid rise to success is a testament to his talent as a performer, but may also be attributed some of his success to the people he's surrounded himself with, including the likes of David Barrett, Kid Andersen and Jim Pugh. Even so, Aki is a fantastic performer/entertainer with a flair for style. He's also a consummate professional who looks after the small details as much as he does the bigger picture. When I asked him about business and where he's currently focusing his energy, he said without hesitation– live performances. Show Notes Poor House Bistro Mark Hummel David Barrett School of the Blues Kid Andersen, Greaseland Studios Jim Pugh and Little Village Foundation Hardly Strictly Bluegrass June Core Charlie Musselwhite Vance Ehlers Aki on KQED Arts Radio Bill Lonero & Guitarcore Originator Aki on Facebook Aki on Instagram AkiKumar.com