A Slack Key Wedding In SoCal

Recently I had a great time down in La Jolla where I was hired to play for a beautiful outdoor wedding at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. The lovely couple had wanted to tie their ceremony to the time they shared in Hawaii and was looking for a slack key guitarist to provide the right mood.

For prelude music I played tunes like Moe Uhane by Sonny Chillingworth.I actually learned this one a long time ago when the transcription was printed in Acoustic Guitar magazine. I also played a couple of hymns I arranged: Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art and I have to give credit to John Keawe for the inspiration for this. When I first saw him play live back in like, 1995 (I think), he was the featured artist for the Make Music Festival's opening night at the Honolulu Academy of Arts theatre. I went on in the beginning of the evening with my flamenco performance group Flamenco Pacifico. When I heard him play Amazing Grace I said ok that's it, I'm going home to figure this out tonight!

So back to the La Jolla wedding, I did my slack key version of What A Wonderful World for the bridesmaids and my own ki ho'alu arrangements for Richard Wagner's Bridal Chorus for the Processional and Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clark for the Recessional. I'd already had these worked out from a long time ago for my cousin' wedding back in Hawaii several years ago. All tunes were in Taropatch tuning (open G) mostly because I'm too lazy/busy to work out a lot of stuff in other keys.

The whole thing was a lot of fun, everyone dug it and everything went super smoothly. Did I mention Diana Ross was there and gave me major props?? I'm kind of kidding - Diana Ross was the name of the wedding coordinator. Oh and while I was playing ukulele at the cocktail reception, a guy came up to me and asked me if I knew Peter Moon - that was very cool!

Seattle Slack Key Festival

Had a blast up in Seattle at the 1st Annual Seattle Slack Key Festival organized by Cyril and Chelle Pahinui November 21-22. It was definitely nice to not have to worry about anything personally and just sit back and enjoy the sweet sounds of Hawaiian music as played by the masters of slack key!

They followed the format of the Southern California Slack Key Festival and held a dinner reception the night before the show and featured the artists jammin' together - Leabert Lindsey, Donald Kaulia and Kunia Galdeira jammed together in one of many different configurations that night. Makana and Jeff Peterson played together with Cyril on bass and that was a blast too! They had a great time and decided to work out something together for the show the next day which turned out to be a huge highlight of the Festival!
You can see photos of the event here - hope more people can make it out next time, please be sure to let your friends and family know what they missed! Photographer was a nice guy and the pictures turned out great! That's me in pic #200 and that's Aya dancing for Dennis Kamakahi at the dinner reception - the only one that got up to dance an impromptu hula to Uncle D's "Pua Hone".

Many of the artists that were there in Seattle will be returning for the 3rd Annual Southern California Slack Key Festival: Cyril and his band which will probably be Sonny Lim, Kunia, Peter Moon Jr and Greg Sardinha, Jeff Peterson, Makana. And this year will also feature Ledward Kaapana and John Cruz. More news and info to come!

Leokane Pryor's Maunahele CD Re-released

The Honolulu Advertiser's Wayne Harada writes, "He's blessed with a gorgeous falsetto that soars where rainbows arch the skies..." A limited release in 2001 created quite a stir in the Hawaiian music world. The Mountain Apple Company is proud to re-release Maunahele and share the talents of this exciting newcomer with fans new and old. If you didn't get your copy of the CD at the 2009 Aloha Falsetto Festival in Redondo Beach, be sure to order one HERE

It was such a pleasure having Leokane at the last Aloha Falsetto Festival - what a warm and pleasant person to have around, not to mention, a GREAT entertainer! Definitely one of the highlights of the show, it makes me proud to have him as a friend. Do yourself a favor and check out his music today!

E Hula Mau - Hawaiian Hula Competition this weekend!

This Friday through Sunday, it's the 15th annual E Hula Mau Hula and Chant competition, the only one of its kind in Southern California. It's three days of hula, mele (song), arts, crafts, food, and fellowship, held in the beautiful Terrace Theater of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center - participating halau come from all over the mainland United States.

Friday is dedicated to solo performances, Saturday focuses on "kahiko" hula (which is the traditional, chanting kind and Sunday is filled with "'auana", or modern, performances, which means non-traditional instruments like guitar, piano, etc. accompany the dance. You might not have realized that there was a traditional and a modern style to hula - that's why you should come check this out!

Cool thing about E Hula Mau is that there are also vendors outside in the courtyard area and lobby so you can browse/shop/eat without needing a ticket to go in the auditorium. There are also live performances outside in the courtyard as well as lei making workshops and other arts and crafts activities. Parking isn't cheap, I think it's 10 bucks to park in the structure but, well, what are you gonna do, it's downtown Long Beach.

KPCF presents the Kilohana Dance Company in Na Ali'i: Hawaiian Monarchy

Ke Po'okela Cultural Foundation

Na Ali'i: Hawaiian Monarchy

Sat. August 29, 8:30 p.m. at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood - a Hawaiian music & dance extravaganza!

My good friend kumu hula Rolanda Reese will be debuting her Kilohana Dance Company at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood this month!

Na Ali'i: Hawaiian Monarchy is a tribute to the Kings and Queens of Hawaii - from King Kamehameha to Queen Lili’uokalani - whose saga will be eloquently expressed in mesmerizing dance movement as performed by the Kilohana Dance Company, choreographed and directed by Kumu Hula Rolanda Reese and set to live music by renowned Hawaiian Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning musicians: Horace Dudoit III, Chris Kamaka (as in Kamaka 'ukulele) and Glen Smith.

This special performance marks the debut of the Kilohana Dance Company at the Ford - 35 beautiful hula dancers performing traditional and contemporary dances, plus a special choir from the First Samoan Congregational Christian Church singing traditional 5-part harmony. Kumu hula Patrick Makuakane, whose dance company has performed at Carnegie Hall, will narrate the event.

This event is presented by the Ke Po'okela Cultural Foundation and is a part of the Target Dance Series in the beautiful outdoor Ford Amphitheatre nestled in the Hollywood Hills.

Tickets: Adults $35, Student/child $5

To purchase tickets:

Phone: 323-461-3673

email: mjbenrahm@aol.com

http://www.fordtheatres.org/en/events/090829_2030.asp

Please feel free to post any thoughts or comments and be sure to sign up on the email list so we can keep you informed of future events

2009 Aloha Falsetto Festival part 1

Wow what a weekend it was! It was like history in the making - a beautiful afternoon and evening with some of the biggest names in Hawaiian entertainment from the islands and Southern California at the 2009 Aloha Falsetto Festival: Kekaimoku Yoshikawa and Leokane Pryor knocked it out of the park, Pomaika'i Keawe Lyman's first ever solo concert performance, Weldon Kekauoha, Bryan Tolentino and Alika Boy delivered a solidly entertaining set which ended in Weldon's beautiful arrangement of "Queen's Jubilee"...and a very rare concert appearance by the legendary Uncle Richard Ho'opi'i - to name just a few highlights!

If you didn't make it to the show, I'll fill you in on what you missed but first I'd like to share one of my personal favorite moments: when the three kumu hula got up to dance at the end of the show! Pomaika'i sang a 3-song medley of Pauoa Liko Kalehua, Mauna Loa and Haleiwa Hula that was danced by Keali'i Ceballos, Rolanda Reese and Kekaimoku, respectively. The idea first came about when we were doing the live podcast with Piko on the Hawaiian Concert Guide and we were talking with Pomaika'i and her father Eric. They sang that medley to us over the Skype lines and someone had the idea to have the three kumu each do one of the songs. It could have been my idea because of my involvement with flamenco where that kind of thing happens very often at the end of a show - they like to get the singer or the percussionist or the guitarist to dance a little at the end to show what they know and it never fails to make the audience go nuts! Rolanda, also known as "Aunty Mohala" is a well-known kumu but is actually very shy and talk about historic moments - for her to get in front of the mic on the podcast and to get out on stage like that was a very rare thing indeed. Even I had never seen her dance before so it was such a treat to see! By the way, don't forget about the big show she's putting on August at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre Saturday August, 29, 2009.

More to come....please sign up on the right side of the page to be a subscriber to my blog

San Dimas Ho'olaule'a Day 2 Tomorrow

It was beautiful day filled with Hawaiian music, food, and vendors and especially meeting so many people today who stopped by the booth for the Aloha Falsetto Festival. Lots of new faces will be there at the show next month, that's for sure. Entertainment was wonderful today and food was good, too. Actually, I ordered the beef stew from Rutt's TWICE today, it was that ono (delicious)! Hung out for most of the day with slack key guitar player Jim "Kimo" West, jammin' on some Hawaiian music tunes

Here's the entertainment for tomorrow - not familiar with all of them but the 11:00 group's kumu is Keoni Chang and "A Hawaiian Experience" is led by Aurora Kaawa, sister of Mike Kaawa who plays and sings with Ledward Kaapana, just won a Hoku award for Favorite Entertainers. Both Mike and Led are cool dudes and I'm hoping to get Led on board for the 2010 Southern California Slack Key Festival!

June 14, Sunday

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Opening ceremony
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Hawaiian Soul and Ohana Friends
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Halau Na Pua Lehua I Ka Ua Noe
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hula Halau Na Hua O Maile
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. A Hawaiian Experience
1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. O’ahu/Manea Dancers
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Na Hoa O Ka Hale Kanu
3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closing - O’ahu

Go to this link for more info and directions. Despite the early morning rain, it cleared up real nice today but was still a bit on the chilly side so be sure to bring a jacket.

San Dimas Ho'olaule'a this weekend

Come down to San Dimas for a fun weekend of Hawaiian music, dance and food! I'll have a booth there as well - look for the banner for Aloha Falsetto Festival, to the right of the stage, on the way to the food area.

Here's the entertainment schedule for the weekend:
Emcee Kamaka Brown
(Entertainment subject to change)

June 13, Saturday

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Opening ceremony
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Kimo West
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Martin Espino
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m Ohana A Aikane
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Hitia O Te Ra
12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Kawalea
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Kawika Laua ‘O Leinani
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tago Le Pasefika
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. O’ahu
4:00 p.m – 4:45 p.m. Ka’Ohana Ho’Onani
4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Moana
5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Jerome Grey Trio
5:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Le Polynesia
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Kolohe Ukulele Club
7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Mehana
7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Closing - O’ahu

June 14, Sunday

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Opening ceremony
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Hawaiian Soul and Ohana Friends
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Halau Na Pua Lehua I Ka Ua Noe
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hula Halau Na Hua O Maile
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. A Hawaiian Experience
1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. O’ahu/Manea Dancers
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Na Hoa O Ka Hale Kanu
3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closing - O’ahu

Go to this link for more info and directions. Hope to see you there!

Mitch Chang
Kala Koa Entertainment
http://alohafalsettofest.com/

Pomaika'i Keawe Lyman Podcast Interview

Had a great time last night visiting the studio of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, a podcast dedicated to the music and culture of the islands of Hawaii (Hawai'i). This includes Hawaii musical instruments such as 'Ukulele, Ki Ho'alu (Slack Key), Kika Kila (Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar), the Upright Bass and Pahu (Drum) as well as the singing styles of Leo Ki'eki'e (falsetto) and the Ha'i (glotto stop) style of singing. They also help publicize special concert performances as they occur on the mainland U.S.A. and around the world. To listen to the interview, click here.

Granddaughter of the late, great Aunty Genoa Keawe, Pomaika'i Keawe Lyman shares some of her favorite songs with us, live, over the internet airwaves and explains what it was like growing up with and learning from her world famous and beloved tutu. The interview was scheduled to help promote the upcoming Aloha Falsetto Festival happening July 18th at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach, CA. This will be the 2nd Annual celebration and the only gathering of Hawaiian falsetto (leo ki'eki'e) artists outside of Hawai'i. Pomaika'i is one of the special featured artists in this year's lineup which includes Hawaiian music Grammy winners and nominees all on one stage, plus hula, Hawaiian food, arts and crafts vendors, and more. Honoring one of the world's great ethnomusical traditions, the first-ever "Aloha Falsetto Festival" on the US mainland July 2008 was truly an historic occasion and this year's program will not disappoint. The other artists who will be appearing:
· Richard Ho'opi'i - Two-time Grammy Winner
· Weldon Kekauoha - Most Promising Artist, Favorite Entertainer, Song of the Year
· Leokane Pryor - up and coming singer from Maui
· Kekaimoku Yoshikawa - kumu hula and falsetto singer in Southern California

Don't forget to check out the interview where we also get to know kumu hula Mohala Reese of Halau Hula Na Meakanu O Laka O Hawai'i, a wonderful supporter of the Hawaiian arts community here in SoCal.

Big Island Events: Kohala in Concert at Kilauea Volcano

Watch a video of Kohala playing C&K's "Highway In The Sun"

I really like this group - Kohala is a trio of acoustic guitars performing mostly Hawaiian pop hits done in a very tasteful and masterful way with no cheesiness which abounds in this genre of music. Charles Brotman was the producer of the CD "Slack Key Guitar volume 2" which won the first GRAMMY award for Hawaiian music. This CD featured a variety of artists like Jeff Peterson, John Keawe, Sonny Lim (all of whom have appeared in the Southern California Slack Key Festival) among other noteworthy island musicians.

"The beloved Big Island acoustic guitar trio Kohala is slated to play a rare concert at the KMC Theater in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The Kilauea Volcano performance takes place on Saturday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. and is sponsored by the Volcano Art Center.

“Kohala’s music--an acoustic blend of contemporary Hawaiian, folk, and jazz--reflects the beauty of the landscape and culture found in the Kohala region on the Big Island, where two of the acoustic guitar trio live,” notes VAC education coordinator Julie Mitchell, who is organizing the concert.

Kohala’s lead guitarist, GRAMMY® Award winning Charles Michael Brotman, is a classical guitarist who began playing contemporary jazz after completing graduate studies in music. Rupert Tripp Jr. and Charlie Recaido grew up in Hawai‘i playing island music on steel string guitars using a finger picking style. The combination of the trio’s diverse musical influences creates their own distinct sound."

The above info was taken from this blog - please visit them for more info.

This weekend in Malibu and Redondo Beach

I am so looking forward to Jeff Peterson's "Slack Key Jazz" performances this weekend! Not only will everyone really enjoy his music but there are some "value adds" with this event - delicious food on the waterfront (at both places) at sunset!

After the Darlene Ahuna concert the other day in Torrance, I stopped by Delzano's By The Sea at the Redondo Beach Boardwalk next to the pier. I talked with Chef Rafael Solorzano about the menu and it sounds absolutely delicious! Included in the $40 admission price will be a rotating buffet mix of fresh fruits, cheeses and veggies, teriyaki salmon, baked macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi, ahi tuna spring rolls, chicken satay, tamarind chipotle filet mignon skewers, roasted pork tenderloin with pineapple bbq sauce and more!

And that's not all - at the Saturday night event at Duke's Malibu in the Moana Room, the same cheap price of 40 bucks gets you Babyback Pork Ribs in Sweet Mango BBQ Sauce, Hawaiian Style Poke, Korean Style Marinated BBQ Sirloin Beef Satay, Thai Chicken Pizza, Moana Sushi Rolls, Primo Beer specials & More!!



Is that a great deal or what! Beautiful live Hawaiian music, a mouth watering buffet, gorgeous waterfront views of the sunset...I hope to see all of you folks there - it'll be a really fun time, I promise.

www.kalakoaconcerts.com to reserve your seat (space is limited)

What is "Slack Key Jazz"? pt 2

Who are some of your jazz influences?

Jeff: I am influenced by many jazz guitarists including Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Tuck Andress, Pat Metheny, and Larry Koonse. There are many other artists I enjoy including John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Roy Haynes, Ray Brown, and Ella Fitzgerald. Jazz music has left an incredible legacy of innovative artists. The music continuously evolves and covers a tremendous range of sound and style from Blues to Dixieland to Swing to Bebop to fusion. I am particularly found of jazz from the 50s and early 60s.

Why does slack key guitar and jazz sound so good together?

Jeff: Swing and jazz music had an impact on Hawaiian music during the big band era in the 20s, 30s and 40s. Hawaiian musicians took the swing feel and harmony and adapted it to their own music. You can hear it in many hula classics and hapa haole songs like Puamana, Sophisticated Hula, Alika, Hula Blues, and Little Grass Shack. The swing feel is there and the chords progressions follow
patterns and cycles that were common in jazz at the time. Slack key guitarists play these songs and use the same chord progressions. What makes slack key guitar playing unique is not just the tunings but the feel and phrasing of the music. Although it is not exactly like swing music, it uses similar scales, syncopation, and chromatic notes.
A very important link is also improvising. Playing in the moment is the heart of jazz and is very common is slack key. You play how you feel. It keeps the music fresh and exciting.

Don't forget to join us for three wonderful evenings in Dana Point, Malibu and Redondo Beach with one of Hawaii’s most gifted and respected musicians! From Hawaiian slack key guitar to classical to jazz, Jeff Peterson’s versatility makes him an artist highly sought after by Hawaii’s top recording and touring artists!

Jeff Peterson has performed at a variety of venues from Symphony Space in New York City to the National Folk Festival in Canberra, Australia. He appeared on Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2 which won the first ever Grammy Award for best Hawaiian recording in 2005. Jeff was a featured artist in the 2008 and 2009 annual Southern California Slack Key Festival in January 2008 which included Cyril Pahinui, Dennis Kamakahi, George Kahumoku Jr, Ozzie Kotani, Owana Salazar, Makana, Kimo West and Steven Espaniola.

What is "Slack Key Jazz"?

Jeff Peterson answers some questions about the relationship between Hawaiian and jazz music and what is behind his unique blending of the two.

Has anyone combined ki ho'alu (slack key) guitar and jazz tunes together before?
Jeff: Leonard Kwan played in many different slack key tunings on archtop jazz guitars and was definitely influenced by swing music. Gabby Pahinui and Atta Isaacs both loved jazz and played songs in a jazz style like "I'm-A-Livin'-On-A-Easy". Many early slack key guitarist who recorded had a strong ragtime and swing feel like Tommy Solomon and William Namahoe.

How did you come to develop this style?
Jeff: I took this concept a little further by arranging songs by Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Cole Porter, Glen Miller, Miles Davis, and other jazz greats in slack key tunings with phrasing from both Hawaiian music
and jazz.

to be continued.......for audio samples of Slack Key Jazz, click HERE

Hawaiian Music Survey

Earlier today I sent out a survey to those who have been coming to my shows - did you get the invitation email?

One of the big questions on the survey is "Thinking back to the Kala Koa concerts you've attended thus far, who has been your favorite artist?"

The responses so far have been in favor of:

Cyril Pahinui, Makana (2008 and 2009 Southern California Slack Key Festival participants)
Ledward Kaapana (Did a solo show for him in April of last year)
Raiatea Helm (2008 Aloha Falsetto Festival)

Another question - "Name one artist you would love to see in a future Kala Koa concert on the mainland" - got these names (top responses so far):
Koala Beemer (I think they meant Keola Beamer, not some cute little bear)
Cazimeros
Keali'i Reichel
Amy Hanaiali'i

Makana also scored high on this list too. It would be totally surreal to have Keola someday as he was one of the ones I really listened to a lot but have never had the chance to meet. Amy would be awesome to have as part of the Falsetto Festival but the Cazimero Brothers actually already come to California every year, as part of the Aloha Series at Whittier College and have been coming for oh, 15 years now? So I find it hard to believe that there are still a lot of people out there who don't know this.

If you've been coming to the shows but aren't on the email list yet please follow this link to participate in this survey and you might even win tickets for the July Festival!

2009 Grammy Awards Hawaiian Night

For the first time since the Hawaiian music category was introduced in 2005, slack key guitar wasn't on the winning ballot for the Grammy award. That's OK, the genre has received plenty of attention through the years and there are so many other facets to Hawaiian music that deserve a listen as well.

What was most fun - for me, anyway - were the events leading up to the awards show: Friday night there was an intimate gathering of the nominees from the islands over at the Grammy museum in the brand spankin' new downtown L.A. Live area in one of the theatres. Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere started things off then came Paul Togioka on solo slack key and Bobby Moderow (of Maunalua) singing for his beautiful hula dancing wife Pua, then LT Smooth and Don Kaulia jammin' with Milton and Chris Lau on bass and percussion, respectively. I think the evening was Milton's idea, it seems he coordinated the whole thing. Milton has been producing the Slack Key Festivals in the Hawaiian Islands for the past 26 years, an incredible run.

I can't remember if Ledward Kaapana with Mike Kaawa tearing it up came next or if it was Rev Dennis Kamakahi performing 3 of his classic songs "Koke'e", "Wahine Ilikea" and "Pua Hone". These songs have stood the test of time for sure, so much so that one might think they were public domain songs by now! It was sure an honor having Dennis at the first ever Southern California Slack Key Festival and I'm hoping Led & Mike will be available to come onboard for the 3rd Festival in 2010.

Amy Hanaiali'i wrapped up the evening with her incredible vocals which was so refreshing to hear. Very polished performance since she does record and perform with a regular band, all awesome musicians I kind of consider the "Hawaiian Wrecking Crew": Steve Jones on bass, Chino Montero on guitar and the ubiquitous Jeff Peterson also on guitar. Steve is highly proficient at both upright and electric bass, Hawaiian and jazz. Chino was a member of one of my favorite groups, Palolo - I can listen to their first CD, especially, over and over. Can't say enough about Jeff's classical, jazz and Hawaiian slack key guitar chops, music-arranging savvy and overall musical know-how. Amy is very lucky to have him on her side.

However, I have to admit that by far, the best part was attending the rehearsals for the Grammy show! Got to hear Coldplay run through Viva La Vida - which won Song of the Year - 3 times! Also Paul McCartney and an incredible band, which included Dave Grohl on drums, played through "I Saw Her Standing There" 3 times as well.....Jeff Peterson and I were THIS close!!! When we first arrived, the blues quarter was running through their stuff and this was just an awesome thing to witness - B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Mayer and Keith Urban - WOW!!!

Like the beer commercial said, it doesn't get any better than this.