Joe Filisko & Eric Noden
Joe Filisko and Eric Noden are an American roots duo from Chicago They have been performing and recording music together for 20 years. Their original blues songs, train imitations and harmony singing are reminiscent of the 1920’s and 30’s when acoustic music was prevalent. Joe and Eric use their virtuosity and song writing skills to illustrate nearly forgotten styles of American Music. Joe is a world-famous harmonica player and customizer who is legendary for his mastery of classic harmonica styles. Joe and Eric are both experienced teachers who enjoy sharing knowledge and inspiring students around the world. They have presented workshops for the Augusta Heritage Festival, Old Town School of Folk Music, Harmonica Masters Workshops and Eslov Blues Festival.
Ross Garren
Ross Garren is a remarkable musician who has become the first-call harmonica player in the ultra-competitive Los Angeles recording scene. While producing a steady output of original music and touring internationally, Ross has contributed his mesmerizing harmonica sounds to the recordings of Ben Folds, Bruce Hornsby, Robbie Robertson, Daniel Lanois, Noah Cyrus, Rita Coolidge, Keb' Mo', and Jim Keltner, among others, and to the soundtracks of feature films such as “Killers of the Summer Moon.”
Aki Kumar
We’re thrilled to announce that world-renowned harmonica player Aki Kumar will be joining us as an instructor at Harmonica Northwest 2025. Aki left his native home in Mumbai, India for the United States with the intention of working as a software engineer, but then he discovered the sounds of the blues, and his life changed dramatically. . Then he discovered the sounds of the blues, and his life changed dramatically. A masterful harmonica player, soulful vocalist, bandleader, drummer, producer, and instructor, Kumar is a man of many talents and one of the most prolific artists in the San Francisco Bay Area today. He has successfully blended retro Indian music into his presentation, making for a unique, electrifying, multi-cultural mash-up that never loses touch with the inspiration it draws from the blues. Aki has released two albums on the Little Village label, 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. He has toured extensively over the years, including in Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Australia, India and South America. Harmonica Northwest’s goal is to match students with harmonica masters who are also stellar instructors, and Aki Kumar fits that bill perfectly.
Kim Field
Kim Field has been a professional harmonica player, singer, and songwriter for over four decades. Kim has toured internationally and performed at such showcases as the San Francisco Blues Festival, the Bumbershoot Festival, and the Waterfront Blues Festival. Over the years Field has appeared on bills with such rhythm and blues legends as Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gregg Allman, James Cotton, Otis Rush, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, the Righteous Brothers, Walter Horton, and Big Mama Thornton. Kim has also written two books on music: Harmonicas, Harps, and Heavy Breathers: The History of the People's Instrument, published by Cooper Square Press, and The Blues Dream of Billy Boy Arnold, published by the University of Chicago Press. This is Field’s third year as the artistic director for Harmonica Northwest.
