In today's newsletter:
- This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis - David Kamakahi CD Release Party
- This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis (TV) - Willie K Pt. 1
- Lei Day in Vegas!
- Eric Lee releases debut solo recording
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"Shine," the long-awaited new album by Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner and Grammy nominee David Kamakahi, has just been released! A mix of genres similar to that of his award-winning debut release “Pa'ani,” and consisting entirely of cover songs, David is joined by an all-star, all award-winning group of musicians, including: Nathan Aweau, Jon Yamasato, Abe Lagrimas, Jr., Jeff Peterson, Bobby Ingano, and his father - Reverend Dennis Kamakahi.
David will be celebrating the release of “Shine” with a CD release party on Thursday, April 30 at the Pakele Lounge in the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu), beginning at 6 p.m. Part of the Pakele Live! with Tony Solis series, it will also be broadcast live online at http://www.pakelelive.com/. (Those in Japan can watch at http://www.j-wave.co.jp/)
Joining David for the party will be special guests Jeff Peterson, Jon Yamasato, and Dennis Kamakahi. The party is free and open to all (and there’s free parking next door at the Ala Moana shopping center!), so join the celebration and pick up a copy of the CD at the same time!
Here's more info about David, and the CD: Awarded the Pono Beamer Award for excellence in the field of Hawaiian Music upon his graduation from Kamehameha Schools, David is a self-taught musician who began playing ‘ukulele at age 15. In addition to his solo projects, he has recorded with his father, with “Hui Aloha” (Dennis Kamakahi, Martin Pahinui and George Kuo), and “Na Oiwi” (Dennis, Mike Kaawa and Jon Yamasato), and has been a featured artist on albums by artists such as Keahiwai, Justin Young, Jon Yamasato, as well as part of the “Lilo and Stitch 2” soundtrack, and the 2007 Grammy-nominated “Slack Key Kings.”
“Shine” is currently available on David's website, and downloadable at digstation. It will also be available at itunes, cdbaby, and rhapsody.
For those who are curious, here is the track list and supporting information for "Shine":
1. ‘A’Oia (John Almeida) - David Kamakahi (Ukulele), Nathan Aweau (Bass), Jeff Peterson (Guitar), Bobby Ingano (Steel)
2. Boardwalk Angel (John Cafferty) - Abe Lagrimas Jr. (Drums), Nathan Aweau (Bass), David Kamakahi (Ukulele)
3. Fields of Gold (Sting) - Jon Yamasato (Guitar), David Kamakahi (Ukulele), Nathan Aweau (Bass)
4. Cumana (B.Allen, H.Spina, R.Hillman ) - Dennis Kamakahi (Guitar), David Kamakahi (Ukulele), Nathan Aweau (Bass)
5. Man In The Mirror (Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard) - Abe Lagrimas Jr. (Drums), Nathan Aweau (Bass), David Kamakahi (Ukulele)
6. Ka Ua Loku (Alfred Alohikea) - David Kamakahi (Ukulele), Nathan Aweau (Bass), Jeff Peterson (Guitar), Bobby Ingano (Steel), Abe Lagrimas Jr. (Drums)
7. Nightbird (Mackey Feary Jr.) - David Kamakahi (Ukulele), Jon Yamasato (Guitar), Nathan Aweau (Bass)
8. Your Smiling Face (James Taylor) - David Kamakahi (Ukulele)
9. Waimanalo Blues (Liko Martin and Thor Wold) - David Kamakahi (Guitar/Ukulele), Nathan Aweau (Bass)
10. Con Te Partiro (A Time to Say Goodbye) (F. Peterson, L. Quarantotto, F. Sartori) - Dennis Kamakahi (Guitar), David Kamakahi (Ukulele)
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For those who are curious, here is the track list and supporting information for "Shine":
1. ‘A’Oia (John Almeida) - David Kamakahi (Ukulele), Nathan Aweau (Bass), Jeff Peterson (Guitar), Bobby Ingano (Steel)
2. Boardwalk Angel (John Cafferty) - Abe Lagrimas Jr. (Drums), Nathan Aweau (Bass), David Kamakahi (Ukulele)
3. Fields of Gold (Sting) - Jon Yamasato (Guitar), David Kamakahi (Ukulele), Nathan Aweau (Bass)
4. Cumana (B.Allen, H.Spina, R.Hillman ) - Dennis Kamakahi (Guitar), David Kamakahi (Ukulele), Nathan Aweau (Bass)
5. Man In The Mirror (Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard) - Abe Lagrimas Jr. (Drums), Nathan Aweau (Bass), David Kamakahi (Ukulele)
6. Ka Ua Loku (Alfred Alohikea) - David Kamakahi (Ukulele), Nathan Aweau (Bass), Jeff Peterson (Guitar), Bobby Ingano (Steel), Abe Lagrimas Jr. (Drums)
7. Nightbird (Mackey Feary Jr.) - David Kamakahi (Ukulele), Jon Yamasato (Guitar), Nathan Aweau (Bass)
8. Your Smiling Face (James Taylor) - David Kamakahi (Ukulele)
9. Waimanalo Blues (Liko Martin and Thor Wold) - David Kamakahi (Guitar/Ukulele), Nathan Aweau (Bass)
10. Con Te Partiro (A Time to Say Goodbye) (F. Peterson, L. Quarantotto, F. Sartori) - Dennis Kamakahi (Guitar), David Kamakahi (Ukulele)
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This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis (TV) marks the beginning of 12-13 weeks of repeats - immediately followed by 12-13 weeks of new shows!
If you missed Uncle Willie K's appearance the first time, now's your chance to see it (or see it again). Tune into OC 16, or watch OC 16's programming live online.
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If you missed Uncle Willie K's appearance the first time, now's your chance to see it (or see it again). Tune into OC 16, or watch OC 16's programming live online.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The annual Lei Day Las Vegas festival takes place this weekend, May 2-3 in the parking lot at the California Hotel. Featured artists from Hawai'i will be Jerry Santos (with Hoku Zuttermeister), Kaukahi, and Charles Ka'upu. For more info, go to the Lei Day Las Vegas 2009 website.
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Eric Lee, founding member of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning group Nā Kama, releases his debut solo recording “Crossroads” May 1, 2009.
The recording, available exclusively on iTunes and Amazon.com, consists of eight original songs and two classics, including an up-tempo arrangement of the Seeker’s 1965 hit, “I’ll Never Find Another You,” and a beautiful remake of Palani Vaughan’s “Ku‘i Ka Lono.”
As part of the group “Nā Kama,” Lee is primarily known for his expertise in writing and performing contemporary Hawaiian music – something his fans will find on this recording as well. However, “Crossroads” also showcases Lee's versatile playing and vocal styles and the influence rock, blues, country, folk, jazz and other genres have had on him. With its blend of Hawaiian and contemporary music, “Crossroads” invites you to see a side of Lee’s music many have never before experienced.
Lee performs all vocals and most of the instrumentation (acoustic and electric guitar, ‘ukulele, electric and upright bass), but several guest musicians are featured on individual tracks, including John Koko of the Mākaha Sons on upright acoustic bass, Bruce Shimabukuro on ‘ukulele, Kit Ebersbach on piano, and more.
When asked why he wanted to be among the first musicians in Hawai‘i to release his recording directly to digital download format, he cited the industry’s growing concern in areas such as the decline in CD sales, which have affected many music artists’ careers. With the dramatic increase in consumers and fans moving to digital downloads, Lee felt the timing was right to make this move. To address the concern of fans who miss having a CD insert in hand with liner notes, credits, and song lyrics, Lee stated that the information would be made available on his website.
Although Lee is well known for his writing/producing and performances with Nā Kama band mates Brian Mersberg and Danny Naipo, his lifelong love affair with music began at age 9 with his first instrument - a $15 ‘ukulele purchased at Woolworth’s. He switched to keyboard lessons (given by Patrick Whittington) while attending intermediate school at Kamehameha. He further expanded his musical versatility through high school by learning to play guitar and bass, as well as to sing and compose. He won second and third place in the “Brown Bags to Stardom” competition and recorded his first studio album at the age of 19, with a group called The Kanile‘a Collection. That recording included Lee’s first published Hawaiian composition (with the help of good friend, Hailama Farden), “Nā Nalu Ha‘i O Mā‘ili,” a song on which he was able to jam with one of his guitar inspirations - the legendary Peter Moon. Along with band mates Jay Kauka and Brian Mersberg, the Kanile‘a Collection traveled all over Hawai‘i and Japan, played for hālau at various hula competitions (including the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival), and opened concerts for headlining acts such as Robi Kahakalau, Hapa, and 5:05.
Lee also performed with other groups, traveling to Sāmoa, Hong Kong, and Japan, and worked as a part-time studio musician, composing jingles and background music for commercial vendors, providing instrumentation and background vocals for other entertainers, and assisted in the production of recordings for various artists.
When Lee and Mersberg released their first recording, “Ke Ala Hou,” under their new name, Nā Kama, Lee was also playing with an island music group called the Ka‘ala Boys, a group that released three recordings and a Christmas single, and that traveled extensively. With the addition to Nā Kama of Danny Naipo on bass, and the group now as his full-time commitment, Lee strives to guide the band through music and performance, remaining steadfast to the group’s mission of excellence in Hawaiian music entertainment and language awareness. In addition, Lee continues to compose and produce music, as well as provide services as a studio musician for various recording projects, make guest appearances with other bands, and performing as a soloist in the many venues of Waikīkī. In June 2007, Lee released a CD single entitled “Camp Lē‘ahi,” a song he composed for the Camp Lē‘ahi summer program where he works as music teacher. He also recorded a Japanese version of the song for the Japanese students who attend the program in late summer.
In his “spare time” from Nā Kama, Lee’s ambition is to continue working on independent recording projects of his own, showcasing the numerous other facets of music that have been a part of his lifelong musical discovery.
Preliminary reviews of “Crossroads,” Lee’s debut solo effort, have been uniformly positive:
“An assortment of Hawaiian, hapa-haole and pop tunes presented in clean contemporary Hawaiian arrangements. Fans of Nā Kama can count on liking Lee as a solo artist.” – John Berger, Honolulu Star Bulletin, Hawai‘i
“An outstanding first solo effort!” – Don Bradway, KFOK FM, California
“All the songs just pull you into them… you can tell the hard work and thought that went into them. The vocals are fantastic, the instrumentals flawless… wonderful pacing and tempo... The quality of the music just forces you to listen to it, and pay attention to what you are hearing.” – Kaukini Norm, KAPU FM, California
NOTE: To hear Kaukini Norm's interview with Eric, click here and then click on the link on the right side of the page, right above the photo of the gate.
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Pau for now... e malama pono a hui hou!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eric Lee, founding member of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning group Nā Kama, releases his debut solo recording “Crossroads” May 1, 2009.The recording, available exclusively on iTunes and Amazon.com, consists of eight original songs and two classics, including an up-tempo arrangement of the Seeker’s 1965 hit, “I’ll Never Find Another You,” and a beautiful remake of Palani Vaughan’s “Ku‘i Ka Lono.”
As part of the group “Nā Kama,” Lee is primarily known for his expertise in writing and performing contemporary Hawaiian music – something his fans will find on this recording as well. However, “Crossroads” also showcases Lee's versatile playing and vocal styles and the influence rock, blues, country, folk, jazz and other genres have had on him. With its blend of Hawaiian and contemporary music, “Crossroads” invites you to see a side of Lee’s music many have never before experienced.
Lee performs all vocals and most of the instrumentation (acoustic and electric guitar, ‘ukulele, electric and upright bass), but several guest musicians are featured on individual tracks, including John Koko of the Mākaha Sons on upright acoustic bass, Bruce Shimabukuro on ‘ukulele, Kit Ebersbach on piano, and more.
When asked why he wanted to be among the first musicians in Hawai‘i to release his recording directly to digital download format, he cited the industry’s growing concern in areas such as the decline in CD sales, which have affected many music artists’ careers. With the dramatic increase in consumers and fans moving to digital downloads, Lee felt the timing was right to make this move. To address the concern of fans who miss having a CD insert in hand with liner notes, credits, and song lyrics, Lee stated that the information would be made available on his website.
Although Lee is well known for his writing/producing and performances with Nā Kama band mates Brian Mersberg and Danny Naipo, his lifelong love affair with music began at age 9 with his first instrument - a $15 ‘ukulele purchased at Woolworth’s. He switched to keyboard lessons (given by Patrick Whittington) while attending intermediate school at Kamehameha. He further expanded his musical versatility through high school by learning to play guitar and bass, as well as to sing and compose. He won second and third place in the “Brown Bags to Stardom” competition and recorded his first studio album at the age of 19, with a group called The Kanile‘a Collection. That recording included Lee’s first published Hawaiian composition (with the help of good friend, Hailama Farden), “Nā Nalu Ha‘i O Mā‘ili,” a song on which he was able to jam with one of his guitar inspirations - the legendary Peter Moon. Along with band mates Jay Kauka and Brian Mersberg, the Kanile‘a Collection traveled all over Hawai‘i and Japan, played for hālau at various hula competitions (including the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival), and opened concerts for headlining acts such as Robi Kahakalau, Hapa, and 5:05.
Lee also performed with other groups, traveling to Sāmoa, Hong Kong, and Japan, and worked as a part-time studio musician, composing jingles and background music for commercial vendors, providing instrumentation and background vocals for other entertainers, and assisted in the production of recordings for various artists.
When Lee and Mersberg released their first recording, “Ke Ala Hou,” under their new name, Nā Kama, Lee was also playing with an island music group called the Ka‘ala Boys, a group that released three recordings and a Christmas single, and that traveled extensively. With the addition to Nā Kama of Danny Naipo on bass, and the group now as his full-time commitment, Lee strives to guide the band through music and performance, remaining steadfast to the group’s mission of excellence in Hawaiian music entertainment and language awareness. In addition, Lee continues to compose and produce music, as well as provide services as a studio musician for various recording projects, make guest appearances with other bands, and performing as a soloist in the many venues of Waikīkī. In June 2007, Lee released a CD single entitled “Camp Lē‘ahi,” a song he composed for the Camp Lē‘ahi summer program where he works as music teacher. He also recorded a Japanese version of the song for the Japanese students who attend the program in late summer.
In his “spare time” from Nā Kama, Lee’s ambition is to continue working on independent recording projects of his own, showcasing the numerous other facets of music that have been a part of his lifelong musical discovery.
Preliminary reviews of “Crossroads,” Lee’s debut solo effort, have been uniformly positive:
“An assortment of Hawaiian, hapa-haole and pop tunes presented in clean contemporary Hawaiian arrangements. Fans of Nā Kama can count on liking Lee as a solo artist.” – John Berger, Honolulu Star Bulletin, Hawai‘i
“An outstanding first solo effort!” – Don Bradway, KFOK FM, California
“All the songs just pull you into them… you can tell the hard work and thought that went into them. The vocals are fantastic, the instrumentals flawless… wonderful pacing and tempo... The quality of the music just forces you to listen to it, and pay attention to what you are hearing.” – Kaukini Norm, KAPU FM, California
NOTE: To hear Kaukini Norm's interview with Eric, click here and then click on the link on the right side of the page, right above the photo of the gate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pau for now... e malama pono a hui hou!
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