Aki Kumar + Manic Mojo: Their last blues shows at Wild Eye!
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Award-winning bluesmaster Aki Kumar and new rising star Manic Mojo, play an epic, creekside night of full-tilt blues!
Wild Eye Pub has enthusiastically hosted Aki Kumar's touring band, usually to sell out crowds, many times over our 8 years of events. We are grateful to have Aki here one last time before our venue closes and the owners retire two weeks later on 9/20.
Earlier this year, we were to delighted to host one of the first shows of Manic Mojo, brand new Nevada County blues band, with a great audience reception here at our sold out Summer Blues Fest.
So, it's a special treat to bring these two bands together for an unforgettable night of fabulous blues & soul music!
Weather permitting, this show will be presented outdoors along Wolf Creek, in Wild Eye Pub's shaded, creekside setting.
***************
AKI KUMAR
San Jose's "King of Bollywood Blues," infuses Blues, Rock n Roll and Country with the vibrant songs of his Indian heritage, creating a unique and electrifying musical fusion. With soulful vocals, masterful harmonica skills and an undeniable stage presence, Kumar brings a fresh perspective to the blues scene, captivating audiences worldwide. Aki left his native home in Mumbai, India for the United States with the intention of working as a software engineer. Then he discovered the sounds of the blues, and his life changed dramatically.
A masterful harmonica player, soulful vocalist, band-leader, drummer and producer, Kumar is a man of many talents and one of the most prolific artists in the SF Bay Area today. He has successfully blended retro Indian music into his presentation, making for a unique, electrifying, multi-cultural mash-up that sounds like no one else, yet never loses touch with the inspiration it draws from the blues. A veteran of the San Jose music scene for two decades, Kumar was hailed as "...King of ‘Bollywood blues’ music" by SJ Mercury News (2022) and received the Metro Silicon Valley Gold Award for Best Band (2024).
Kumar's "Little Village" releases "Aki Goes To Bollywood" (2016) and "Hindi Man Blues" (2018) are considered ground-breaking albums that have garnered international critical acclaim. In 2020, Kumar made major news with the world-wide launch of his album "Dilruba" on Sony Music. In 2021, Little Village released Kumar's uplifting reggae-inspired single "Zindagi" (Life). 2025 marked a milestone year for Kumar with the release of his self-produced “Little Village” album “God Bless The USA”
Aki Kumar has made multiple appearances at The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, San Jose Jazz & SF Jazz Festivals, and has been featured on PRI “The World,” KQED Arts and CBS Bay Area. He has toured extensively over the years, including in Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Australia, India and South America. Aki tours and performs with a masterful lineup of blues musicians, creating a memorable music experience for dancers and listeners alike.
akikumar.com/home
instagram.com/aki_kumar
**************
MANIC MOJO
This new, all originals band is powered by the raw talent and musical synergy of its two core members, Manny Servantes and Nico Paoletti. The two Nevada County natives share a passion for creating original music, and are the driving force of Manic Mojo's distinctive sound.
Besides their roles as the band's songwriters and arrangers, Mannic Mojo features Manny Servantes on harmonica, Nico Paoletti on guitar and vocals, along with Gregory S. Young on keys, Will Madrid on Bass, and David Clouse on drums. Together, they blend influences of blues, soul, jazz, funk and rock through powerful, dynamic instrumentation and vocals.
Their line up of unforgettable original songs combines energetic hooks, licks and lyrics with irresistible dance grooves for a sound that is truly their own. Audiences across Nevada County and beyond are discovering this brand new band, and are then eager to hear more Manic Mojo!
manicmojo.com
instagram.com/manicmojomusic
NOTE: This is a ticketed event! Get 'em early - Aki's shows usually sell out!
_____________________
About Wild Eye Pub:
A family-friendly venue restaurant and bar, with nightly entertainment in a lovely listening space, with a comfy vibe. Enjoy full-service dining, in both our 'supper club' showroom or our casual bar lounge: farm-to-table foods from local & organic sources, plus regional brews, wines, spirits & mocktails.
IMPORTANT: Tickets & reservations are STRONGLY recommended. We LOVE reservations, to help us plan for each show. Easily make yours - just seats, or seats & table for dining - while buying your tickets. Your table will have your name on it. Thanks for supporting live music!
Seating & service starts at 5:30, with music at 6:30. We offer tableside service of food & drinks before & during the event.
PARKING: Pub has free parking. More parking at the corner of Mill & McCourtney, a 2-minute walk. Across from Pub, French Ave has parking. Carpooling is encouraged - our neighbors appreciate it.
Questions: 530-446-6668 or [email protected]
Wild Eye Pub has enthusiastically hosted Aki Kumar's touring band, usually to sell out crowds, many times over our 8 years of events. We are grateful to have Aki here one last time before our venue closes and the owners retire two weeks later on 9/20.
Earlier this year, we were to delighted to host one of the first shows of Manic Mojo, brand new Nevada County blues band, with a great audience reception here at our sold out Summer Blues Fest.
So, it's a special treat to bring these two bands together for an unforgettable night of fabulous blues & soul music!
Weather permitting, this show will be presented outdoors along Wolf Creek, in Wild Eye Pub's shaded, creekside setting.
***************
AKI KUMAR
San Jose's "King of Bollywood Blues," infuses Blues, Rock n Roll and Country with the vibrant songs of his Indian heritage, creating a unique and electrifying musical fusion. With soulful vocals, masterful harmonica skills and an undeniable stage presence, Kumar brings a fresh perspective to the blues scene, captivating audiences worldwide. Aki left his native home in Mumbai, India for the United States with the intention of working as a software engineer. Then he discovered the sounds of the blues, and his life changed dramatically.
A masterful harmonica player, soulful vocalist, band-leader, drummer and producer, Kumar is a man of many talents and one of the most prolific artists in the SF Bay Area today. He has successfully blended retro Indian music into his presentation, making for a unique, electrifying, multi-cultural mash-up that sounds like no one else, yet never loses touch with the inspiration it draws from the blues. A veteran of the San Jose music scene for two decades, Kumar was hailed as "...King of ‘Bollywood blues’ music" by SJ Mercury News (2022) and received the Metro Silicon Valley Gold Award for Best Band (2024).
Kumar's "Little Village" releases "Aki Goes To Bollywood" (2016) and "Hindi Man Blues" (2018) are considered ground-breaking albums that have garnered international critical acclaim. In 2020, Kumar made major news with the world-wide launch of his album "Dilruba" on Sony Music. In 2021, Little Village released Kumar's uplifting reggae-inspired single "Zindagi" (Life). 2025 marked a milestone year for Kumar with the release of his self-produced “Little Village” album “God Bless The USA”
Aki Kumar has made multiple appearances at The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, San Jose Jazz & SF Jazz Festivals, and has been featured on PRI “The World,” KQED Arts and CBS Bay Area. He has toured extensively over the years, including in Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Australia, India and South America. Aki tours and performs with a masterful lineup of blues musicians, creating a memorable music experience for dancers and listeners alike.
akikumar.com/home
instagram.com/aki_kumar
**************
MANIC MOJO
This new, all originals band is powered by the raw talent and musical synergy of its two core members, Manny Servantes and Nico Paoletti. The two Nevada County natives share a passion for creating original music, and are the driving force of Manic Mojo's distinctive sound.
Besides their roles as the band's songwriters and arrangers, Mannic Mojo features Manny Servantes on harmonica, Nico Paoletti on guitar and vocals, along with Gregory S. Young on keys, Will Madrid on Bass, and David Clouse on drums. Together, they blend influences of blues, soul, jazz, funk and rock through powerful, dynamic instrumentation and vocals.
Their line up of unforgettable original songs combines energetic hooks, licks and lyrics with irresistible dance grooves for a sound that is truly their own. Audiences across Nevada County and beyond are discovering this brand new band, and are then eager to hear more Manic Mojo!
manicmojo.com
instagram.com/manicmojomusic
NOTE: This is a ticketed event! Get 'em early - Aki's shows usually sell out!
_____________________
About Wild Eye Pub:
A family-friendly venue restaurant and bar, with nightly entertainment in a lovely listening space, with a comfy vibe. Enjoy full-service dining, in both our 'supper club' showroom or our casual bar lounge: farm-to-table foods from local & organic sources, plus regional brews, wines, spirits & mocktails.
IMPORTANT: Tickets & reservations are STRONGLY recommended. We LOVE reservations, to help us plan for each show. Easily make yours - just seats, or seats & table for dining - while buying your tickets. Your table will have your name on it. Thanks for supporting live music!
Seating & service starts at 5:30, with music at 6:30. We offer tableside service of food & drinks before & during the event.
PARKING: Pub has free parking. More parking at the corner of Mill & McCourtney, a 2-minute walk. Across from Pub, French Ave has parking. Carpooling is encouraged - our neighbors appreciate it.
Questions: 530-446-6668 or [email protected]
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Where is it happening?
535 Mill St, Grass Valley, CA, United States, California 95945
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherWild Eye Pub
