MUSIC CALENDAR

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Each week Aki brings with him a special guest performer!

www.akikumar.com/tuesday-night-blues-jam

About Aki Kumar:

Dynamic frontman & harp player Aki Kumar is a bonafide star among the next generation of West Coast blues artists and the world’s first professional blues harmonica player to hail from India. A master of the hugely influential Chicago blues sound, Kumar inherits his style from the harp legends of the 1950s and 60s. Aki has a unique voice in the blues, blending elements of blues harmonica pioneers of yesteryear with a signature sound of his own.

“..old school blues at its finest by way of India. And the lad has soul to spare.”
Dan Aykroyd aka Elwood Blues

Born and raised in Bombay (now Mumbai) – India, Kumar has long established his mark on the West Coast blues scene as a top-notch frontman, vocalist , entertainer and blues harp player. The Aki Kumar Blues Band has been the culmination of his journey through American roots music and constantly showcases his ever-evolving sound. This band performs vintage blues with tremendous skill and energy and is guaranteed to entertain audiences across all venues, from intimate listening rooms to large festivals.

“(Kumar) has a natural propensity for the music, with a rich, deep tone and a sensitive, economic style that emphasizes feel over flash.”
Jonny Whiteside, LA TIMES

In recent years, Aki Kumar has performed all across the United States and internationally (Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Brazil, Chile, India), collaborating with some of the top blues artists on the scene. He has also contributed his blues harmonica licks to numerous recordings produced on the West Coast in the last decade, including several albums produced at the world renowned Greaseland Studios. This year marks another exciting year for Aki Kumar, with upcoming recording projects, internationals appearances and other musical collaborations across the world.

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Thompson was born in Oakland, California, United States, and had mastered basic guitar and slide guitar techniques by his mid-teens.[1] He was educated at Newark Memorial High School, in Newark, California.[2] In the early 1970s, Thompson played backing to Little Joe Blue, and worked solo and as a sideman in San Francisco Bay Area clubs. He joined John Lee Hooker’s backing band in 1975, staying with him for three years. In 1980, Thompson formed his own group, the Resisters, and secured a recording contract with Takoma Records.[1] He played at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1978, 1979 and 1983.

In 1983, he released his debut album, Treat Her Like Gold. Thompson also found employment separately working with Lowell Fulson, Etta James and Big Mama Thornton. Thompson’s second album Resister Twister was released in 1987 and nominated for a Grammy Award,[3] plus 1990’s Just Like a Devil, was taken from his work on Mark Naftalin’s Blue Monday Party radio show.[1]

Thompson’s 2007 album, Resonator was a purely acoustic production.[3]

Pianist Sid Morris as a teenager in the 60’s he began playing piano in a blues band with South Bay blues pioneer Gary Smith. Gary later introduced him to pianist Alberto Gianquinto, a San Francisco native who was a member of the original James Cotton Blues Band. For a short time in the early 70’s, Alberto was his mentor. Currently residing in San Jose, Sid has been performing since 1970 and continues to be an active member of the San Francisco Bay Area music community. Raised in Houston, Texas before his family moved to the South Bay, Sid performed at the very first San Francisco Blues Festival in 1973 and subsequently appeared at four other SF Blues Festivals. During his early years on the scene, Sid was mentored by Alberto Gianquinto. In 1976, Sid participated in the now legendary recording of the album, Blue Bay, an anthology featuring the elite of Bay Area musicians.

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The Bay Area’s own Chrome Deluxe is a unique and talented band of musicians who share a passion for music and performance. The band provides high quality entertainment for private and public functions; including top Bay Area nightclubs, corporate events and festivals.

Chrome Deluxe has gained a reputation as one of the most diverse R&B, Swing and Blues based bands in the Bay Area with their own special take on both classics and current favorites. Particularly popular with fans who like to dance. The group draws from the innovators of American music while translating the music into their own sound and bringing the audience quality entertainment and a truly fun musical experience.

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​All over the world people are talking about 26 year old powerhouse vocalist Casey Hensley. Her talent and power are taking the Blues by storm. Surrounding herself with only the best musicians, and heavily influenced by all of the greats, it is no wonder she has everyone talking. Her self-monikered backing band always includes incredible celebrated guitar slingers such as Anthony Cullins, Laura Chavez, Kid Ramos, Johnny Main, Steve Wilcox, and many more to match her larger than life voice. Drummer Evan Caleb Yearsley (son of the late vocalist Candye Kane), saxophonist Johnny Viau, and bassist Mark C. They are well known for their ability to cross blues subgenres, including jump, swing, and Chicago blues.

The press took notice of Casey Hensley right away. In May 2017, the singer’s band played the main stage at Doheny Blues Festival, headlined the Ojai Blues Festival, and appeared at Gator by the Bay. Later that year, they also played Las Vegas’ Big Blues Bender at the Plaza Hotel. After Hensley signed to Vizztone Records, the album “Casey Hensley Live (Featuring Laura Chavez)” was released in October 2017 and hit #1 on the Global Radio Indicator Charts, #4 Roots Music Report Soul/Blues Chart, it debuted at #17 on ITunes Blues charts and hit #10 on the Living Blues Radio Charts. Casey Hensley is an undeniable rising star that will bring tears to your eyes and leave you breathless.

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Alabama Mike is a force on the microphone with the first rate, church house tenor’, that he was blessed with, he delivers a sound that will remind you of a young BB King, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, or even Little Johnny Taylor.
Michael A. Benjamin, aka Alabama Mike was born January 31, 1964 in Talladega, Alabama. He, along with 6 siblings were, influenced by the gospel singing of his father. Early on, his father encouraged the family to begin singing in the church choir. Alabama Mike was the only sibling who decided to pursue and develop his vocal talent. In 1983, he moved to California via a military hitch in the U.S. Navy which ultimately landed him in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Several years down the road, as he soaked up all that he could learn from his extensive blues record collection, local blues acts and other popular associates in the blues community, he started performing. His first professional blues performance was in 1999. From there, he was fortunate enough to form a record label, Jukehouse Records, working with Scott Silveira as co-founder. From this label, his first record, “DAY TO DAY” was released. This record was his official break-thru into the blues music scene.

Domestically and internationally known for his first rate tenor’ vocals and his witty plus ingenious song writing skills, he then followed with his sophomore offering in 2011 which he entitled “TAILOR MADE BLUES”. Much fuss was caused around this record. It garnered five star reviews in all the major blues magazines and received heavy airplay worldwide.
His band includes Anthony Paule (Guitar), Scot Brenton (Guitar/Harmonica), Kedar Roy (Bass), and Paul Revelli (Drums). He recently formed a acoustic blues-trio calling the The Hound Kings, which includes himself, A. Paule and W.S. Brenton. The Hound Kings released their debut CD May 2013 titled “UNLEASHED”. The Hound Kings new release UNLEASHED CD was nominated by The Blues Foundation for a 2014 Blues Music Award in the Acoustic Album category. Alabama Mike performed at the 2014 Blues Music Awards with The Hound Kings and was rated one of the Top Ten Highlights of the show by the Blues Foundation.
Alabama Mike has shared the stage with such blues greats as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, John Primer, Lurrie Bell, Steve Freund, Bobby Rush, Johnny Rawls, Fillmore Slim, R. J. Mischo, DeWayne Wiggins, Willie (Big Eyes) Smith and so many others. He has also played several national festivals and concerts including the Poconos Blues Festival, Reno Blues Festival, among others and has toured internationally.
He has been recognized and previously awarded :
2010 Blues New Artist Of The Year ~ Bay Area Blues Society
2010 Nominee Blues Blast Magazine ~ Best New Artist Debut Recording
2011 Nominee Blues Foundation ~ Category: Blues Music Award Traditional Blues ~ Male Artist Of The Year
Alabama Mike’s most recent 2016 release of blues/soul original compositions titled, “UPSET THE STATUS QUO”, already has blues lovers and listeners clamoring to get a copy. “UPSET THE STATUS QUO” is his third solo project which was produced by Kid Anderson of Greaseland Music Services, San Francisco. This body of work features the likes of Jim Pugh who played with Robert Cray for 25 years and before then played with Etta James’ and
Otis Rush’s bands on organ and piano. In addition, Jerry Jemmott who played bass in King Curtis’ band in the 60’s, and they played on most of the Aretha Franklin, BB King, Freddie King and Otis Rush records during the 60″s time period. There is also a host of other fine local bay area veteran blues artist featured such as Lil Jonny Lawton, Aki Kumar, Sid Morris, Kedar Roy, Robert Welsh and many others are accompanying him on the new release.

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Each week Aki brings with him a special guest performer!

www.akikumar.com/tuesday-night-blues-jam

About Aki Kumar:

Dynamic frontman & harp player Aki Kumar is a bonafide star among the next generation of West Coast blues artists and the world’s first professional blues harmonica player to hail from India. A master of the hugely influential Chicago blues sound, Kumar inherits his style from the harp legends of the 1950s and 60s. Aki has a unique voice in the blues, blending elements of blues harmonica pioneers of yesteryear with a signature sound of his own.

“..old school blues at its finest by way of India. And the lad has soul to spare.”
Dan Aykroyd aka Elwood Blues

Born and raised in Bombay (now Mumbai) – India, Kumar has long established his mark on the West Coast blues scene as a top-notch frontman, vocalist , entertainer and blues harp player. The Aki Kumar Blues Band has been the culmination of his journey through American roots music and constantly showcases his ever-evolving sound. This band performs vintage blues with tremendous skill and energy and is guaranteed to entertain audiences across all venues, from intimate listening rooms to large festivals.

“(Kumar) has a natural propensity for the music, with a rich, deep tone and a sensitive, economic style that emphasizes feel over flash.”
Jonny Whiteside, LA TIMES

In recent years, Aki Kumar has performed all across the United States and internationally (Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Brazil, Chile, India), collaborating with some of the top blues artists on the scene. He has also contributed his blues harmonica licks to numerous recordings produced on the West Coast in the last decade, including several albums produced at the world renowned Greaseland Studios. This year marks another exciting year for Aki Kumar, with upcoming recording projects, internationals appearances and other musical collaborations across the world.

VIEW FACEBOOK
VIEW VIDEO

Thompson was born in Oakland, California, United States, and had mastered basic guitar and slide guitar techniques by his mid-teens.[1] He was educated at Newark Memorial High School, in Newark, California.[2] In the early 1970s, Thompson played backing to Little Joe Blue, and worked solo and as a sideman in San Francisco Bay Area clubs. He joined John Lee Hooker’s backing band in 1975, staying with him for three years. In 1980, Thompson formed his own group, the Resisters, and secured a recording contract with Takoma Records.[1] He played at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1978, 1979 and 1983.

In 1983, he released his debut album, Treat Her Like Gold. Thompson also found employment separately working with Lowell Fulson, Etta James and Big Mama Thornton. Thompson’s second album Resister Twister was released in 1987 and nominated for a Grammy Award,[3] plus 1990’s Just Like a Devil, was taken from his work on Mark Naftalin’s Blue Monday Party radio show.[1]

Thompson’s 2007 album, Resonator was a purely acoustic production.[3]

Pianist Sid Morris as a teenager in the 60’s he began playing piano in a blues band with South Bay blues pioneer Gary Smith. Gary later introduced him to pianist Alberto Gianquinto, a San Francisco native who was a member of the original James Cotton Blues Band. For a short time in the early 70’s, Alberto was his mentor. Currently residing in San Jose, Sid has been performing since 1970 and continues to be an active member of the San Francisco Bay Area music community. Raised in Houston, Texas before his family moved to the South Bay, Sid performed at the very first San Francisco Blues Festival in 1973 and subsequently appeared at four other SF Blues Festivals. During his early years on the scene, Sid was mentored by Alberto Gianquinto. In 1976, Sid participated in the now legendary recording of the album, Blue Bay, an anthology featuring the elite of Bay Area musicians.