In today’s newsletter:
- Eric Lee CD Release Party at Pakele Live! with Tony Solis
- Keawe Ohana on Pakele Live (TV)
- Windward Ho’olaule’a – O’ahu
- 2009 Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Inductees - O’ahu
- “A Touch of Paradise Polynesian Revue” – Stockton, CA
- Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu – San Francisco
- 2010 Grammy Awards
- Open Studios Art Tour - Santa Cruz
- Cecilio & Kapono mainland tour continues
- Makana CD Release Party – San Francisco
- Michael Emerson (LOST) & the Honolulu Symphony
- HOEA Fine Arts Market and concerts – Big Island
- Andy Bumatai - California
- 4 Saturdays of Free Hawaiian Music in October - Seattle
This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis we’re hosting a CD release party for Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Eric Lee. The special guests are all Nā Hōkū winners as well: Kenneth Makuakane (with a possible appearance by Lehua Heine of Na Leo), and Kūpaoa!
You may remember that Eric, founding member of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning group Nā Kama, released his debut solo recording “Crossroads” in May. He was among the first musicians in Hawai‘i to release his recording directly to digital download format. Until now, the recording was available exclusively on iTunes and Amazon.com. It is now being made available in CD format as well – and the CD includes three bonus tracks previously not available.
As a former member of the group “Nā Kama,” Lee was 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 his 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) on the album, 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.
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
Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! this Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). It’s free (no cover/no minimum), all ages are welcome, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center. Drinks are available for purchase.
You may also watch live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/
Those in Japan can watch at: http://www.j-wave.co.jp/
You may email the show at pakele@lava.net – mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!
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Tonight’s new episode of Pakele Live! with Tony Solis on OC16 TV features the Keawe Ohana (from their appearance at PALI’S CD release party). Tune into channel OC16 at 7 pm, or watch the livestream at http://www.oc16.tv/. The show will air approximately 10 times over the next week – check listings for times.
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The annual Windward Ho`olaule`a takes place from 9 am to 9 pm Saturday Sept. 26 at Windward Community College in Kaneohe. There will be food and crafts booths, a job fair, hula, and music by artists such as Mailani (12:15), Kupaoa (3:15), Holunape (5:15), Brother Noland (7:15) and Ledward Kaapana (8:15). Click here for more information.
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Join the celebration/concert on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 2pm at the Ruth Ke'elikolani Auditorium on the Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus, honoring the 2009 inductees into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. This year's inductees include Dennis Kamakahi. Among the performers are Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners Kupaoa.
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Hiva Nui Productions of Stockton, CA presents, “A Touch of Paradise Polynesian Revue” at 2:30 pm on Sunday Sept. 27 at the Empire Theatre (1825 Pacific Ave., Stockton). Tickets are $20 advance, $25 door. The revue will feature Hula Halau Hiva a me Na Pua O Ka Honua and other special guests. Proceeds from the performance will be used to help defray the costs for the halau to compete in the annual Ia Oe E Ka La Hula Competition, November 6-8 in Pleasanton, CA. Click here for tickets.
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In its only full-length San Francisco performance this year, Patrick Makuakane’s Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu will present a free program of visually captivating hula showcasing a combination of signature pieces and audience favorites in the hula kahiko, hula 'auana, and hula mua styles. The performance takes place from 1-2:30pm on Sunday, September 27 at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, Yerba Buena Gardens San Francisco (on Mission Street between Third & Fourth).~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The preliminary ballot for the 2010 Grammy Awards has been sent out. Here are the entries in the Hawaiian music category:
• Darlene Ahuna - Aloha Pumehana
• Faith Ako - Papaku Bring It Home
• Leilani Rivera Bond - Aloha ‘Anianiau
• Brother Noland - Hawaiian Man,
• Tia Carrere & Daniel Ho - He Nani
• Danny Carvalho - Somewhere
• Amy Hānaiali‘i - Friends & Family Of Hawai‘i
• Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett - Ho‘ōla I Ka Poli
• Ho‘okena - Nani Mau Loa
• George Kahumoku, Jr. & Bob Brozman - Kani Wai – Sound Of Water
• Natalie Ai Kamauu - ‘Ī
• Keli‘i Kaneali’i - Kaua‘i
• Kūpaoa - Pili O Ke Ao
• Mailani - Mailani
• Makana - Venus, And The Sky Turns To Clay
• Gordon Mark - Solo ‘Ukulele Orchestrations
• Noly Pa‘a - From The Heart
• Pali - …With Aloha
• Aaron J. Salā - Nāpo’ona Mahina: The Illusion Of Reality
• Various Artists - Masters Of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2
I’ve received questions regarding the Grammy Awards vs. the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. The eligibility period is different for the two awards – for the Grammys, the recording must have been released for sale and in general distribution in the United States between October 1 and August 31 (apparently recordings released in September aren’t eligible at all… or there’s a typo in the Grammy eligibility criteria… LOL!), while the Na Hoku Awards are based on recordings released in the calendar year. Thus, recordings may be eligible for Na Hoku consideration in one year but not for Grammy consideration until the following year.
As for why many recordings are not considered for a Grammy in the Hawaiian category (including those that might have won numerous Na Hoku Hanohano Awards), there are two primary reasons that I can think of – they were either not submitted, or they didn’t qualify in the category. The Recording Academy solicits entries from associate and voting members, as well as record companies that are registered with the Academy. (Although record companies may submit albums for consideration, they cannot vote.) The problem is that very few people in the Hawaiian music industry are Academy members – especially voting members - and record companies are either not registered with the Academy or are not submitting titles for consideration – or both. (A glance at the above list tells me the majority of the entries are by artists on the Mountain Apple label, Punahele Productions, and Daniel Ho Creations – those three labels are obviously on the ball!)
Also, one of the qualifications that must be met in order to be considered for entry in the Hawaiian Grammy category is that the majority of the vocals must be in the Hawaiian language – which means that an entry by someone like Cecilio and Kapono, despite their enormous popularity both here and on the mainland, wouldn’t qualify because their vocals are in English.
The list above isn’t a list of nominations; rather, it’s a list of all eligible entries that have been submitted for consideration. Academy members eligible to vote will select from this list those entries that they wish to see on the final ballot. The nominations will be announced in December, and the Awards take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 31, 2010. Best of luck to all!
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Artist Ea Eckerman will participate in the Open Studios Art Tour in Santa Cruz October 3 and 4, 11am - 6pm. He and his brother Michael will have on view a lot of new sculptures, paintings, photographs and much more. Although not technically a “Hawaiian Event,” Ea lived in Hawai’i for some time, and much of his work reflects that. He did several of the paintings that were used as posters for Jack Johnson’s Kokua Festival, as well as the Women’s Triple Crown of Surfing, and the Stand-up Paddle Pa’ina and his art was featured in the Surfer’s Journal and can even be seen on surfboards!
Tour tickets are $20 – information is available at the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County website.
The Eckerman Studios are located at 301 Hanover Street, Santa Cruz.
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I’ve been hearing great reviews from people who have been to see Cecilio and Kapono as they make their way around the mainland on their current tour. The tour continues with stops in Portland OR on 9/24, Lake Tahoe 9/25, San Francisco 9/27 and 9/28, Redondo Beach 10/2, San Juan Capistrano 10/3, San Diego 10/4, Seattle 10/9, and Las Vegas 10/10. For venue details and ticket information, visit their website.
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Makana is holding a series of CD release parties for his latest album, “Venus, and the Sky Turns to Clay,” including a reception and two concerts in San Francisco on Friday Sept. 25 at Biscuits and Blues (401 Mason St., at Geary).
The reception (CD signing & photos) is from 5:45-6:15 pm (upstairs, in the Union Room). The concerts are at 7:30 and 9:30pm. Concert tickets are $20. For reservations call (415) 292-2583 (credit card required). Note: parking for Biscuits and Blues is either street parking (the meters stop running at 6pm) or at the Mason/O’Farrell parking garage, where you may park for 5 hours for $10 - show the parking attendant your ticket stub upon leaving the facility.
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Emmy Award-winning actor Michael Emerson (Photo by Jason Merritt-Getty Images) of the ABC series LOST joins Maestro Andreas Delfs and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra to narrate Francis Poulenc's classic “The Story of Babar” in concerts with something special for all generations at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Saturday, October 3 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October 4 at 4 p.m. Emerson, who just won a second Emmy Award for his portrayal of the character Benjamin Linus on LOST, will bring to life one of the best-loved children's book characters of all-time: Babar the Elephant. Inspired by Jean de Brunhoff's classic story, Poulenc's playful masterwork is loved for its use of instruments to portray action, especially the tuba. This family-friendly concert also features Debussy's Clair de Lune, which captured the hearts of new listeners around the world when it was featured in the 2008 blockbuster movie Twilight.
Tickets range in price from $19 to $70 (including service fees), $10 for students and children (under 18). Military & seniors receive 20% discount. Available Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000), Macy's and www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, call the Box Office at (808) 792-2000 (weekdays) or (808) 524-0815 ext. 245 (evenings).
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The Hawai’i Ohana for Education in the Arts (HOEA) is holding a free fine arts market Oct. 3-4 at A’ole Minuke Park at Parker Ranch Center in Waimea (on the Big Island). There will be artists’ booths, a fashion show, door prizes and entertainment, including Owana Salazar on Saturday morning and Aunty Diana Aki Saturday afternoon, and Teresa Bright early Sunday afternoon, followed by Keoki and Moses Kahumoku from 2 to 4 pm.
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California peeps – our loss is your gain… Comedian Andy Bumatai is moving to the San Francisco Bay area in October! He’ll be there for at least 3 months working on a new talk show, and he will also be performing up and down the west coast. You can see him Oct. 14 & 15 at Johnny Bacardi's 30 Plus Club in Union City, CA (32655 Alvarado Boulevard). $10 cover. (I’ll post info on other performances as I receive it…)
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Seattle peeps! FREE Hawaiian music coming to the Triple Door in October! Brother Noland (10/3), Willie K (10/10), Maunalua (10/17), and Makana (10/24). All events start at 5 pm in the Musicquarium, and are 21 yr+! Brought to you by the Hawai’i Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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Please keep in mind that this newsletter is just a sampling of Hawaiian Events, not a comprehensive list! A few of the other events happening within the next few days (most I’ve written about previously) include:
Jerry Santos at Whittier College, CA (Saturday)
Napua Makua (Grieg) and Weldon Kekauoha on Maui (Saturday)
Makaha Sons in New Hampshire (Saturday)
Keali’i Reichel in San Diego (Sunday)
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Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!
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