This was our first time to Hawaiian Brians since the ownership renovated the building. The billards and arcade are now in a separate section. The main event room, The Crossroads, sports a similar dance floor like the old showroom but bigger, a bigger stage and more seating. Same great sound and lighting system! There is a smaller room which they call The Studio near the entry for small events. Both rooms offer easy ingress/egress for musicians.
Tonight's Back2Back Extravaganza event is the Ward's Rafters Concert II, a fundraiser for Jackie Ward, owner of Ward's Rafters, a private residence in Kaimuki. This event was organized by Chad Bergantz of The Ultimate Fundraiser. Quite an impressive line up of local musicians and bands, at a great price. We didn't get to see everyone as the concerts ran simultaneously in both rooms.
However, these are the bands we did get to see. We were not disappointed. In fact some of the performances kept us on the edge of seats wanting more.
Unable to view the slide show....click on this LINK. You will also be able to "Like" or "Share" your favorite pictures to Facebook.
Adela Chu & Espiritu Libre -, A salsa and Brazilian jazz band; featuring flute player Saskia, singers Cheryl Bartlett and Bruce Hale, bass player Ernie Proventeur; and Chu's husband, Kim Duffett, on congas. Chu dances and plays keyboards. The group started 15 years ago as the Electric Malasadas, playing at Anna Bannana's.
Jerome James and Activ8 Electro Jazz - Jerome James, a skilled percussionist that invented Electrojazzation. Original new age and sometimes hypnotic music. They even had a free-form dancer.
http://www.jeromejamesjrums.com/activ8-electro-jazz.html
The PBS Little Big Band - Big Band Music from the 40s and beyond. Swing, jazz, latin and rock. Led by trumpeteers and brothers, Phil and Bob Scellato, This popular big band has been performing around Honolulu since 2004. .
Stephen Inglis & Piranha Brothers - Stephen Inglis - folk/slack key/singer/songwriter. He is recognized as one the most diverse musical artists in Hawaii today. His composition Redwood Slack Key was featured on the Grammy nominated and Na Hoku
Hanohano wining album Hawaiian Slack Key Kings V2.
http://stepheninglis.com/. The Piranha Brothers Band was formed in 1977 by Michael Piranha, Tom Piranha, Jesse Abarca and Phil Miller.
http://www.reverbnation.com/piranhabrothersband. We absolutely loved their rendition of Hotel Honolulu (same melody of Hotel California).
Soul Pilot - Soul Pilot provides Soulful R & B, Funk, Blues, Rock, & Jazz. Rachel Gonzales, Vocals; Gil Farias, Bass; Peter Factora, Drums; John Lundgren, Saxophones; and Tony Trevias, Keyboards/vocals.
Taimane - A musician and songwriter. She picked up her lst ukulele at age 5, discovered by legendary Don Ho, and performed all over the world. She covers a wide range of genres - classical to classic rock to flamenco.
http://www.taimane.com/main/
The Saloon Pilots- Progressive bluegrass music are Lesley Kline, fiddle & vocals; Kilin Reece, guitar & vocals; Paul Sato, Banjo & Vocals; Mark Ransom, bass & vocals, and Russ Lundgren, percussions (to include a Fedex box).
Trailer Park Romeos - Dedicated to entertaining audiences that love Chicago and Delta Blues. Playing the Blues the way Muddy, Wolf and Little Walter created it to be played are Richard Smith, Ian Chames, Sean Harrison, Corey Funai, Paul Gomes Jr., and Micheal Sommers
Best wishes to Jackie Ward and her family. Mahalo to TUF, all the musicians and bands that shared their music. Till next time....Don't Stop The Music!
