Kona Winds Live at Ige's Restaurant & 19th Puka (1-5-2013)

What is Kona Winds?   We found these definitions on the web:

Kona winds occur when a low-pressure center is within 500 miles Northwest of the Islands and has an unusually low central pressure, below 1,000 millibars for the subtropics.

kona [′kō·nə] (meteorology) A stormy, rain-bringing wind from the southwest or south-southwest in Hawaii; it blows about five times a year on the southwest slopes, which are in the lee of the prevailing northeast trade winds.

Kona (leeward) winds usually occur during ho‘oilo (winter) seaon.  During this time the trade winds are not dominant, which allows the Kona winds to develop.  The Kona winds blow from the southwest direction, impacting the leeward side of the island first.  Since the winds come from the south, they are generally warmer breezes with the capacity of carrying a lot of moisture.

We found KONA WINDS on this night at Ige's in Aiea.   No rain storm or gusts inside here, but there was a lot of dancing, cocktails & music brewing.   This band used to perform at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel through the 1980s.   Val shared, 'Kona Winds is a variety band that plays everything from R & B, Old School Funk, Haw'n Contemporay, Showtunes and Classic Rock n Roll'.   If there was a draft in house it was due to the chicken skin rendition of 'Neither One Of Us Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye' by Mary Barboza.   The evening ended on a high note with a hana-hou which included the audience participation in 'Heidi Heidi Heidi Ho'.   Also spotted in the house, Bill "Elvis" Haupu Burgher of Legends in Concert Waikiki.

Please enjoy these captured golden moments.   Mahalo Kona Winds & Don't Stop The Music!

Pictures!

Kona Winds Band:

Val Cabral - lead vocals, band leader
Mary Barboza - lead vocals
Gerry Cabral - keyboards, vocals, music director
Bengy Dabis - lead guitar, vocals
Glenn Quiocho - bass guitar, vocals
Herman Regal - drums
* John Loo - keyboards
* Ben Juan - drums

* Guest artist

Band Contact: https://www.facebook.com/messages/val.cabral.98

Videos!

Bop Tribal Live @ Gordon Biersch (1-2-2013)

Our first Jazz show for 2013! Despite the rain, wind and cool weather, this group of young talented musicians delivered; and you could tell they were having fun at it.


From the Bop Tribal website:   BOP TRIBAL is an award winning quintet jazz group that initially started at The Dragon Upstairs in Downtown Honolulu Chinatown. B.T.'s home base music is in the 50's hard bop, but it adeptly weaves its way through modal jazz, bebop, post bop, and even hip hop. This quintessential New York jazz, transported to the Honolulu stage in 2008.  Their debut album "Bop Tribal" received the best album award at the Hawaii Music Awards in 2009.   They also received a 4-star review in the Downbeat magazine (June 2009), and was a preliminary ballot for a Grammy in 2008.

Check out the video!


Please enjoy these captured golden moments.  Mahalo for jump-starting our New Year, & Don't Stop The Music!

Bop Tribal:
DeShannon Higa - trumpet, flugel horn
Reggie Padilla - tenor sax
Satomi Yarimizo - piano
Jon Hawes - bass (sitting in for Shawn Conley)
Shinya Yarimizo - drums (sitting in for Abe Lagrimas Jr.)

Check out their website at: www.boptribal.com

Guests Artist:
Al - trumpet
Bart W. Howk - trumpet

Check out the pictures!

Island Storm Live at Ige's Restaurant & 19th Puka (12-22-2012)

We encountered an Island Storm on this night even though the weatherman said it would be a cool and clear winter night.

A few years back, we had the pleasure of meeting Wayne at the Kapi'olani Bandstand during an LS 34 gig which he assisted with sound.  We learned that Wayne played guitar for Island Storm, but we never had the opportunity to see them live until now.   What a treat watching & listening to these guys!   It's not every day you see a musician flipping his axe over his head and behind his back on stage.   Sandy also got to meet an old classmate that she had not seen since King Intermediate school (1975).  

Island Storm first started playing together as members of the Pipeline Band in 2003.   After recording a CD, "Shadow Reef", and a video for the single "Ready To Rock" which appeared on Overdrive Live Volume 2, they had the opportunity to play at a few concerts at the Waikiki Shell at Kapi'olani Park; along with some radio, television and newspaper exposure.   In 2004, they formed a cover band, Sidekick, which then morphed into the present day version of Island Storm.   Their music is best described as Island Style party music.   This upbeat style includes Rock, Reggae, Country, Pop, Oldies and Dance.  In additional to traditional and fundraiser gigs, Island Storm also perform at various Oahu Military bases and often at welcome home concerts for our returning USA troops and their families. How rewarding!

Please enjoy these captured golden moments.   Mahalo ISLAND STORM! and Don't Stop The Music! 

Video!


Island Storm Band:

Val Vasquez - Guitar/Vocals
Wayne Mezurashi - Guitar/Vocals
Darren Kaneko - Keyboards/Ukulele/Vocals
Paul Nishimoto - Drums/Vocals
Norbert Enos - Bass/Vocals.

Contact them on their website at: http://www.islandstorm808.com/about_us.html

Pictures!

Don Tiki Live at the Doris Duke Theater (12-15-2012)

This was our 4th Don Tiki Show and certainly not our last.   We were turned on to Exotica Jazz in 2005.  What is Exotica Jazz?  Check out this website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exotica.

The first Don Tiki show we saw was held at the Hawaiian Hut-Ala Moana Hotel.   Beautiful dancers paraded the aisles in costumes with giant cocktail glasses on their heads.  One singer also balanced a large tiki on her head laugh singing the entire song.  The characters, the vibes, the percussions and the animal calls were so memorable, we couldn't wait to attend our next Don Tiki Show.  That next show was at the Turtle Bay Resort under the moon and stars (2006).   Willow Chang danced and sang.  The next was at the Aloha Tower Marketplace on Valentine's day (2010) featuring Star Kalahiki.   Each venue offered a different show filled with surprises and a sense of escapism. 

This Hot Lava Holiday show was held at the Doris Duke Theater at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. An indication of the energy in this room----a prelude of animal sounds and chanting by a restless audience (aka natives) precluded the show.  Entertainment all around us! How fun! This particular show was a tribute to the memory of Fritz Hassenpusch, former Don Tiki's 'Delmar deWilde'.   We're pretty sure he was there in spirit with the rest of the gang.

Mahalo Don Tiki! & Best wishes in Seattle (Benaroya Hall) and in Los Angeles (Walt Disney Concert Hall) Enjoy these captured golden moments.  Bravo DON TIKI! & Don't Stop The Music!

Pictures!

Don Tiki Band:

Kit "Perry Coma" Ebersbach - keyboards
Hai-Jung - bass guitar, vocalist
Lopaka Colon - percussionist, jungle & birds calls
Tim Mayer - reeds
Abe Lagrimas, Jr. - vibes and percussions
Jason Segler - drummer
Ryoko Oka - keyboards, t'rung (Vietnamese bamboo xylophone)
Violetta Beretta - dancer, vocalist
Charles Degala - vocalist
Tei Tatafu, Jr. - vocalist
Sherry Shaoling- vocalist, dancer, comedian

Check out their website at: http://www.dontiki.com/

Golden moment videos!

TRK Live at Gordon Biersch (12-14-2012)

Here's one Acronym you need to remember, 'TRK' for 'The Rhythm Klub'!   With only 4-5 band members, these guys can surely boost some good R&B, Classic Rock, Lite Jazz and Funk that gets your attention and your feet dancing.  Veteran musicians, it's not a surprise that every one sings and harmonize well together.  You can spot TRK at Terry's Place at the Chinese Cultural Center every Monday night from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm, doing what they love to do - making music for all to enjoy!   

Please enjoy these captured golden moments.   Mahalo TRK! & Don't Stop The Music!

Video!


Pictures!

The TRK Band:
Adney G. Atabay - vocals, congas, trumpet, drums
Ricky Ricardo - saxophone, percussion, vocals
Eric D. Kutzen - bass guitar, vocals
Hemingway Jasmin - keyboards, vocals
* Ben Juan - drums, vocals


* Guest artist


Band contact: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TRK-The-Rhythm-Klub/158280870902148