Beth Kohnen & Knee Action Blues
Harmonica player, producer, vocalist, and bandleader, Beth Kohnen brings a powerful harmonica style and a warm singing voice to the San Francisco blues scene. Deeply passionate about the classic blues tradition Beth delivers an enjoyable evening of jump boogies, laid back shuffles, sultry New Orleans swing tunes, and a taste of Duke Ellington. 

Beth grew up in South Portland, Maine. In 1976 she came to the SF East Bay by way of Kingston, Washington in an old cattle truck with three small children, a wood stove, and a rickety piano. She started playing funky gospel piano and harmonica in a small Berkeley church. The blues drew her out to the clubs and in 1998 she began sitting in on harmonica with Grammy award winning Steve Freund, RJ Mischo, Birdlegg, Lisa Kindred, and Wendy DeWitt. Her primary influences are Big Walter Horton, Sunnyland Slim, and Otis Spann.

In 2005 she started her own band, Knee Action.

Drummer and vocalist Willy Jordan was the last drummer to tour with John Lee Hooker. Willy also won the 2006 Bay Area Blues Society drummer of the year award. His lively beat and soft brushwork are the backbone of Beth’s unique sound. His vocals will make you cry.

Guitarist John Graham is well known for his guitar fluency. John played for 4 years with Birdlegg, and now has his own band Kickin The Mule.Knee Action has two revolving bass players, Randy Bermudez who tours with Charlie Musslewhite and plays for Beth when he is at home, and Willie Riser, Bay Area blues bassman extraordinaire.Knee Action is often joined by very special guests on the keyboard Wendy DeWitt, Chip Roland, Chris Burns, and Mike Emerson.When these fine veteran musicians join Beth on stage they create a class act that brings old Chicago back to life.
Beth Kohnen – Harmonica/Vocals
Willie Jordan – Drums/Vocals
John Graham – Guitar
Randy Bermudes – Bass
“My baby knee action like a thirty-seven Chevrolet. He ’bout the free wheelinest man Mother Motor ever had.” 

Big Walter Horton, ‘West Wind’

Comments
“Fabulous blues harp playing….I have not heard anybody playing Big Walter’s songs that way since I can’t remember when, maybe only Carey Bell had mastered Big Walter’s style as well as you do. You not only play the notes but you have got that deep tone and most important you manage to put feeling to what you play. One can hear the same “dramatic, sad accents” that were a trademark of Big Walter’s playing since his younger days. I heartfully thank you for keeping that style of blues harp alive and so well.”(Guy Vanesbeek, Belgium, April 2005) - 

“The Lady blows the Blues” -RJ Mischo Feb 2006

“Your playing has muscle!” – Little Junior Crudup at the Uptown, Oakland, March 2006

 “I loved your stuff. If I’d a had my girlfriend with me I woulda got lucky tonight.” (Happy man after gig, May 2004)
 
Beth Kohnen…white female …putting out a “tone” totally out of context with what the categorizing world would expect. My brain immediately registered 100 when the notes hit my ears. As an old goof who has heard more than his share of
old masters when they were STILL 98.6 and breathing, I personally feel that THIS KID GOT IT. I have no idea what kind of life she has led or what possible pain, agony, heartbreak, she may have gone through, but some have it and some don’t. I am sitting here listening to her stuff and it is just great. (Smoky Joe, Harp-l harmonica list Aug 2001)