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!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
2009 Slack Key Festival Highlights Part 2
One of the best parts of the Southern California Slack Key Festival is the reception held the night before the show that I have come to call the Concert Preview Reception. Duke's Restaurant in Malibu has been the perfect setting for this event and Josh and Brittany in catering have been wonderful supporters as well. Yes, it can be a bit of a drive depending on where you're coming from but every attendee would attest to the fact that it is so worth it! I mean, you get great food, drink and the chance to see the festival's artists up close and personal.
The artists are always so warm and full of aloha and they were greeted with the same from all the fans and that's what really makes this kind of event a success. I asked John Keawe's beautiful wife Hope to do the lei greeting as guests arrived and received, to their surprise, a goodie bag provided by Trilogy Spa.
And oh, the food. To keep costs low for the guests (and also for me) and still present a classy event, I worked on the menu with Duke's who also donated some appetizers including some of the most incredible shrimp and poke you'll ever eat. Even my friend who works in Hollywood and is exposed to vast amounts of the best food on a daily basis (her dog gets filet mignon and prime rib!) said dinner and pupus that night was amazing. Her mom was actually wondering if maybe she should have had more shrimp and poke since that was likely going to be dinner because how could it possibly get any better than that? But no, there was huli huli chicken, mahi mahi, Duke's famous hula pie and so much more. Even Primo Beer pitched in drinks, even before they were officially distributing on the mainland, just happy to be a part of the night's festivities!
Last year, Kimo West said it'd be no problem to bring his PA system in case any jammin' were to take place. I left it totally optional for the artists and to do whatever they feel. Well, George Kahumoku Jr got up and took the initiative, and so did Dennis Kamakahi, Owana Salazar, Cyril Pahinui, and they all had such wonderful stories to share. And speaking of wonderful stories, a couple days prior, Jeff Peterson and I had dropped in, unannounced, on Bill Tapia at his house in Orange County (just like how we do it in Hawaii!) and invited him to the reception where he also got up with his ukulele to jam on a few tunes with George, Jeff Peterson, and Kimo, as well as share his as-usual amusing anecdotes from his 90-year musical career (he is now 101!). He'd claimed he'd known Gabby Pahinui so I mainly invited him so he could come meet Gabby's son Cyril.
It's so magical how everything is just go with the flow....to see Makana jammin' with Peter Moon Jr and Lehua (Ledward Kaapana's sister) and Sonny Lim and Bruce Spencer from Maunalua - these artists never get together like this even in Hawaii but that's exactly what happened at this year's reception. Ever seen Cyril get up to do an impromptu hula followed by Bobby Moderow hamming it up? You probably never will again, either!
The photos under the heading Reception at Duke's capture just a fraction of the aloha that filled the room that night but that picture of Makana and Bobby Moderow sharing the mic is itself worth a thousand words.
Stay tuned for info about the Concert Preview Reception for the upcoming Aloha Falsetto Festival in July!
The artists are always so warm and full of aloha and they were greeted with the same from all the fans and that's what really makes this kind of event a success. I asked John Keawe's beautiful wife Hope to do the lei greeting as guests arrived and received, to their surprise, a goodie bag provided by Trilogy Spa.
And oh, the food. To keep costs low for the guests (and also for me) and still present a classy event, I worked on the menu with Duke's who also donated some appetizers including some of the most incredible shrimp and poke you'll ever eat. Even my friend who works in Hollywood and is exposed to vast amounts of the best food on a daily basis (her dog gets filet mignon and prime rib!) said dinner and pupus that night was amazing. Her mom was actually wondering if maybe she should have had more shrimp and poke since that was likely going to be dinner because how could it possibly get any better than that? But no, there was huli huli chicken, mahi mahi, Duke's famous hula pie and so much more. Even Primo Beer pitched in drinks, even before they were officially distributing on the mainland, just happy to be a part of the night's festivities!
Last year, Kimo West said it'd be no problem to bring his PA system in case any jammin' were to take place. I left it totally optional for the artists and to do whatever they feel. Well, George Kahumoku Jr got up and took the initiative, and so did Dennis Kamakahi, Owana Salazar, Cyril Pahinui, and they all had such wonderful stories to share. And speaking of wonderful stories, a couple days prior, Jeff Peterson and I had dropped in, unannounced, on Bill Tapia at his house in Orange County (just like how we do it in Hawaii!) and invited him to the reception where he also got up with his ukulele to jam on a few tunes with George, Jeff Peterson, and Kimo, as well as share his as-usual amusing anecdotes from his 90-year musical career (he is now 101!). He'd claimed he'd known Gabby Pahinui so I mainly invited him so he could come meet Gabby's son Cyril.
It's so magical how everything is just go with the flow....to see Makana jammin' with Peter Moon Jr and Lehua (Ledward Kaapana's sister) and Sonny Lim and Bruce Spencer from Maunalua - these artists never get together like this even in Hawaii but that's exactly what happened at this year's reception. Ever seen Cyril get up to do an impromptu hula followed by Bobby Moderow hamming it up? You probably never will again, either!
The photos under the heading Reception at Duke's capture just a fraction of the aloha that filled the room that night but that picture of Makana and Bobby Moderow sharing the mic is itself worth a thousand words.
Stay tuned for info about the Concert Preview Reception for the upcoming Aloha Falsetto Festival in July!
Monday, February 9, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
2009 Slack Key Festival Highlights Part 1
Just uploaded the photo slideshow on YouTube of highlights from the 2nd Annual Southern California Slack Key Festival. I tell you, it felt so nice to be able to say "2nd Annual" and I can't wait to be able to look back and say "Wow, it's been 7/10/14/whatever years!" I'm a bit like a kid in a candy store because I get to ask not only friends of mine to be a part of it but also performers I've looked up to for a long time.
For this 2nd annual show I just did, I'm still patting myself on the back (lol) for assembling the trio that opened the show: Jeff Peterson, Jim "Kimo" West and Barry Flanagan of Hapa. As awesome as the first year's show was, I wanted to avoid having solo act after solo act so I elected to go with more groups which, to me, is really how it should be anyway - you know, a bunch of people jamming together enjoying themselves is always infectious and the audience really gets into it! Another good thing about having groups is that I feel it helps highlight solo performers even more, like John Keawe and Makana. To be honest, Barry, Jeff and Kimo were all a little hesitant when I first suggested a trio and I have to admit even I wasn't quite sure how I was going to organize their set - I just knew it was something I wanted to see happen. I did know that I wanted the show to start off with Hapa's Kaopuiki Aloha which I felt really captured the feel of what I was trying to achieve and I was confident that the three of them would really gel with each other so it was really gratifying to see them really having fun up there and saying how they were all mutual admirers of one another. I also secretly relished the thought of them really hashing things out, sweating over it and getting those creative juices flowing which is what I feel is the essence of being a musician. And hey, you never know, sometimes that's how things happen and special projects and recordings often spring from these kinds of encounters. Best of all, none of it came off forced, instead it felt very natural.
What I particularly loved is how the universe can show you that the music is bigger than you. What I mean by that is, as things developed and I came up with a set list that everyone seemed to go for, I really had my heart set on them ending the set with a bluesy jam that Kimo had come up with loosely titled "All Jam Up" (or what I thought would also be good was "405 Blues") which had parts emulating cars honking on a busy L.A. freeway because I thought it was very fitting for the environment but also because I knew all three could really play the blues. Instead, what happened was they all jammed on Jeff Peterson's original tune "Let's Ride!" and for their encore "hana hou" piece they all three played through Kimo's beautiful arrangement of John Lennon's "Imagine" and I couldn't have "imagined" a more beautiful ending to their set.
For this 2nd annual show I just did, I'm still patting myself on the back (lol) for assembling the trio that opened the show: Jeff Peterson, Jim "Kimo" West and Barry Flanagan of Hapa. As awesome as the first year's show was, I wanted to avoid having solo act after solo act so I elected to go with more groups which, to me, is really how it should be anyway - you know, a bunch of people jamming together enjoying themselves is always infectious and the audience really gets into it! Another good thing about having groups is that I feel it helps highlight solo performers even more, like John Keawe and Makana. To be honest, Barry, Jeff and Kimo were all a little hesitant when I first suggested a trio and I have to admit even I wasn't quite sure how I was going to organize their set - I just knew it was something I wanted to see happen. I did know that I wanted the show to start off with Hapa's Kaopuiki Aloha which I felt really captured the feel of what I was trying to achieve and I was confident that the three of them would really gel with each other so it was really gratifying to see them really having fun up there and saying how they were all mutual admirers of one another. I also secretly relished the thought of them really hashing things out, sweating over it and getting those creative juices flowing which is what I feel is the essence of being a musician. And hey, you never know, sometimes that's how things happen and special projects and recordings often spring from these kinds of encounters. Best of all, none of it came off forced, instead it felt very natural.
What I particularly loved is how the universe can show you that the music is bigger than you. What I mean by that is, as things developed and I came up with a set list that everyone seemed to go for, I really had my heart set on them ending the set with a bluesy jam that Kimo had come up with loosely titled "All Jam Up" (or what I thought would also be good was "405 Blues") which had parts emulating cars honking on a busy L.A. freeway because I thought it was very fitting for the environment but also because I knew all three could really play the blues. Instead, what happened was they all jammed on Jeff Peterson's original tune "Let's Ride!" and for their encore "hana hou" piece they all three played through Kimo's beautiful arrangement of John Lennon's "Imagine" and I couldn't have "imagined" a more beautiful ending to their set.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Makana - if you haven't heard his music yet, you don't know what you're missing
I've known Makana for a while now, probably since around 1999, right around the time his debut CD came out but feels like it's been a little longer than that. Actually, at the very moment a friend was introducing us, "Only You" was playing on the radio right next to us, that was a trip. Here are some things people had to say about that first recording Makana:
"Makana's debut CD is simply fantastic. Having seen him play live for three years now, I can honestly say that the CD is a realistic showcase of his talents. "Jacked Up Slack" is a fabulous fusion of traditional slack key guitar and funky jazz tones--it's like sitting in on a hot jam session on a cool Hawaiian night."
"His music is heartfelt and growing. If you want to hear something different and reflective check this out."
"I bought Makana's CD recently and wuz blown away"
Now, 8 years and four CDs later, he's still going strong - booking most of his own gigs himself throughout Hawaii, the mainland and all over the world, as well as keeping up with his fans and supporters - and he's only getting bigger! What a monumental talent but with such a giving and humble spirit. Not afraid to branch out and experiment musically, he deserves all the good things that come his way. Even all the big dogs of traditional slack key like Dennis Kamakahi and Cyril Pahinui give him props and they show support for what he does, too.
On a personal note, I've always appreciated his support of the Southern California Slack Key Festival that I started in Los Angeles - which he'll always be welcome to be a part of - and of my endeavors in general. This coming Monday and Tuesday I'll be playing cajon (for the first time in a non-flamenco situation) behind him at Typhoon restaurant in Santa Monica. Had a fun time last night going over stuff with him and another friend Jim "Kimo" West, another slack key artist who lives here in L.A. who also happens to be the guitarist with Weird Al Yankovic so he is VERY versatile and will actually be playing a fair amount of bass for the Typhoon gig (my idea, pat myself on the back lol). Unlike most other people who, when they play cajon, just basically try to beat the shit out of it, I try to get as many sounds out of as I can which is why I also really like to use brushes for different textures. If you had to choose just one, I think the cajon is the perfect percussion instrument to accompany Makana's music, given its versatility. Anyway, for those who attended last week's Slack Key Festival, you will see some very different stuff at Typhoon's as well as some of the stuff you loved at the concert. For those not already familiar with Makana's music you should definitely try to make the show - you will see what you've been missing all these years!
Please leave some comments relating your experience hearing Makana's music and if, after reading this, you decide to attend the Typhoon gig, please come back here and tell me what you think!
"Makana's debut CD is simply fantastic. Having seen him play live for three years now, I can honestly say that the CD is a realistic showcase of his talents. "Jacked Up Slack" is a fabulous fusion of traditional slack key guitar and funky jazz tones--it's like sitting in on a hot jam session on a cool Hawaiian night."
"His music is heartfelt and growing. If you want to hear something different and reflective check this out."
"I bought Makana's CD recently and wuz blown away"
Now, 8 years and four CDs later, he's still going strong - booking most of his own gigs himself throughout Hawaii, the mainland and all over the world, as well as keeping up with his fans and supporters - and he's only getting bigger! What a monumental talent but with such a giving and humble spirit. Not afraid to branch out and experiment musically, he deserves all the good things that come his way. Even all the big dogs of traditional slack key like Dennis Kamakahi and Cyril Pahinui give him props and they show support for what he does, too.
On a personal note, I've always appreciated his support of the Southern California Slack Key Festival that I started in Los Angeles - which he'll always be welcome to be a part of - and of my endeavors in general. This coming Monday and Tuesday I'll be playing cajon (for the first time in a non-flamenco situation) behind him at Typhoon restaurant in Santa Monica. Had a fun time last night going over stuff with him and another friend Jim "Kimo" West, another slack key artist who lives here in L.A. who also happens to be the guitarist with Weird Al Yankovic so he is VERY versatile and will actually be playing a fair amount of bass for the Typhoon gig (my idea, pat myself on the back lol). Unlike most other people who, when they play cajon, just basically try to beat the shit out of it, I try to get as many sounds out of as I can which is why I also really like to use brushes for different textures. If you had to choose just one, I think the cajon is the perfect percussion instrument to accompany Makana's music, given its versatility. Anyway, for those who attended last week's Slack Key Festival, you will see some very different stuff at Typhoon's as well as some of the stuff you loved at the concert. For those not already familiar with Makana's music you should definitely try to make the show - you will see what you've been missing all these years!
Please leave some comments relating your experience hearing Makana's music and if, after reading this, you decide to attend the Typhoon gig, please come back here and tell me what you think!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Slack Key Open Mic
Going to pick up a friend coming in to L.A. today from Honolulu and going down to Dana Point in Orange County. Thinking of maybe stopping in at Kaisen's Sushi in Oceanside where the Southern California Slack Key Society hosts a ki ho'alu open mic session at 6pm every Tuesday. My nail on my right hand middle finger was ripped off last week so I cut off all the other nails - first time in probably years - so not sure if I can play good right now but might give it a try. Kaisen's is at 1906 Oceanside Blvd in Oceanside and it's one of those wannabe Japanese restaurants not actually owned by Japanese so don't expect authenticity, the service sucks in my opinion and they're too tight-fisted to even give some sort of discount to the people who come and play (which in turn brings more people to the restaurant) but the people in the Society like Mike and Bill and Dusty and Terry (who make up pretty much the entire Society membership) are all wonderful people who play good slack key and they are supportive so fun can still be had here. So maybe I'll see you there tonight!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
1st ever blog entry!
After hearing about all the benefits of blogging from various friends and fellow businesspeople (like Chris Buffaloe, the virtual assistant for Somerville & Associates), I have finally decided to go for it! I attempted to start one for my website www.socalslackkeyfest.com which is dedicated to the annual event I put on in Redondo Beach, CA and started to post news about artists' new CDs or appearances but it got a little cumbersome plus I was doing it on iWeb and thus it wouldn't have its own link for the blog page and it seems the format here would just be so much easier.
I plan to blog about the festivals I produce during the year like the Southern California Slack Key Festival and Aloha Falsetto Festival and post info about the artists, their music, related events or probably just let off some steam. Perhaps I could answer musical questions too - so many possibilities! I hope I have the wherewithal to stick with this and I look forward to interacting with folks in a whole new way!
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