New Year’s Eve with Aki Kumar, Kirk Fletcher & Sam Rudin! – Berkeley, CA

Celebrate the New Year with us in bluesy style! San Jose’s King of Bollywood Blues, Aki Kumar, joins forces with renowned blues guitar master Kirk Fletcher, with a featured performance by own piano maestro, Sam Rudin!

Aki Kumar is 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.

Kirk Fletcher plugs in his guitar and lets out the weight of the world. With every string bend and sustained vocal, the Los Angeles-born and Nashville-based singer, guitarist, and producer summons the spirit of classic blues spun with his own fresh fire.

It’s why he’s been tapped to complement everyone from Joe Bonamassa to The Fabulous Thunderbirds on stage or in the studio. It’s why he’s received several nominations for the Blues Music Award. It’s why he’s been covered in Living Blues Magazine and incited the applause of Guitar World, Guitar Player, Guitar and more. It’s why he’s amassed a beloved solo discography streamed millions of times.

With the rhythmic intensity of an entire band, Sam Rudin attacks and caresses the keyboard, romping through the whole range of 20th century American music. He can evoke the spirit of Fats Waller, Oscar Peterson, Mose Allison, and Jerry Lee Lewis…sometimes all at the same time. He is also a compelling vocalist whose rough-hewn voice conveys both drama and humor.

A musical historian, he moves from blues to be-bop, and from ragtime to rock ‘n’ roll, with amusing and educational anecdotes that help the listener make the connections.

And he is an exciting, high energy performer, whose enthusiasm on stage is as clear as his love for the blues, jazz, and country traditions from which his music comes.

Tickets are $35 general admission. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets are available here, or if the show is not sold out, you may purchase your tickets at the door before the show.

Doors open one half hour before show time. We accept cash or Venmo only at the door.

The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages. The venue is ADA accessible. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-381-1997.

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Thank you for your support!

Please note: Although masks are no longer required, we strongly encourage their use to keep everyone safe in our intimate space.