Front man and harp player for the San Francisco Bay Area band Tip of the Top, Akarsha Aki Kumar is an ardent student of the blues and a master of the amplified Chicago blues sound.

Kumar derives his style mainly from American harp masters Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Walter Horton and George Smith, among others. His own playing reflects elements of these players, blended in with a signature sound of his own.

He has shared the stage with some of the finest contemporary harmonica players alive: Rod Piazza, Lazy Lester, Gary Smith, Rick Estrin, Mark Hummel, Charlie Musselwhite and Lee Oskar. Aki Kumar’s latest venture, Tip of the Top, is a collaboration with Bay Area blues veterans and has been the culmination of his journey through American roots music. The group performs vintage blues with subtle flair and a respect for the deep history of the genre. Tip of the Top can be seen performing regularly at various venues and festivals in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Aki Kumar is a Seydel endorsed artist and plays Seydel 1847 Classic harmonicas at his shows. He is also a featured contributor on David Barrett's Bluesharmonica.com.