Aki Kumar (Bombay, India, 1980) arrived in the United States in 1998 to study computer science, settling in San Jose, California, where he discovered blues music in the Bay Area clubs. After graduating, he began working while playing with the band Tip of the Tops, with whom he spent several years. In 2013, he found himself out of work and decided to form his own band and start a solo career. In 2014, he released his first album, "Don't Hold Back", but it wasn’t until Jim Pugh from Little Village Foundation produced his second album, "Aki Goes to Bollywood", that Kumar began to gain recognition among fans and blues media across the country. The Indian harmonica player has continued releasing music under the same label, releasing three more albums. His latest, "God Bless the USA", released in April, shows a remarkable level of artistic maturity, placing him among the most interesting and outstanding blues harmonica players today. His style can be surprising, Little Walter echoes in every note, but Kumar adds a distinctive personal touch that intentionally reflects his musical background in Indian classical music, which differs greatly from the Western classical music most people are familiar with. This fusion is one of the many compelling reasons to listen to him. He himself has called it "Bollywood Blues", a unique blend that truly deserves attention.
Aki Kumar is an excellent harmonica player, and both his adopted country and the blues have changed his life. The album title says it all.