BOB
BROZMAN was born in New York in 1954. Like most great musicians,
he takes his craft very seriously while maintaining the infectious
sense of fun that inspired him as a child to pick up an instrument and
play. "When I was a kid," Bob jokes, "I told my dad I wanted to be a
musician when I grew up. He told me 'Son, it's one or the other.'"Best known for his virtuoso mastery of steel guitar, `ukulele and
standard guitar, Bob is also a dedicated scholar. His book, THE
HISTORY AND ARTISTRY OF NATIONAL RESONATOR INSTRUMENTS, is recognized
as the most authoritative work on the subject to date. He frequently
lectures at schools and is increasingly involved with workshops and
music camps. He has also produced many albums. Especially dear to his
heart is a film he is made on the incredible adventures of Tau and
Rose Moe, legendary 1929 Hawaiian recording artists. "The Moes
were very influential in the worldwide spread of Hawaiian music in
general, and the steel guitar in particular," Bob says.
Since the mid-1990s, Bob has been spending a lot of quality time
touring and recording with fellow Dancing Cat artist Led
Kaapana. They recorded a duet album in 1997, KIKA
KILA MEETS KI HO`ALU.
Bob also recorded the 1999 album FOUR
HANDS SWEET & HOT, with slack key guitar master Cyril
Pahinui. These two master musicians have long admired each other's
playing. "I really liked the CD Bob did with Led Kaapana," Cyril says.
"When I heard he wanted to get together with me, I said 'sure.' The
first time we met we jammed for three hours straight, one song after
another without stopping." Bob has listened to Cyril since the 1970s.
He enjoys his style, and relished the chance to make music with him.
"His deep roots in Hawaiian music and jazz really speak to me," Bob
says. "His unique rhythmic approach to Hawaiian music really informed
and changed my playing, especially the rhythmic innovations."
Bob and Led reunited January 2001 for their second all acoustic
album of duets, IN
THE SADDLE. A treat for all guitar
fans, this Dancing Cat release gives both artists maximum freedom
to stretch out and express themselves. While retaining the spontaneity
of their first collaboration, it also reveals an added depth to Led
and Bob's evolving musical relationship. "Since the first album, we've
done about fifty concerts as a duo," Led says. "All that time together
comes across on the new record. We sound very comfortable with each
other."
"When we made the first CD, I knew only 1900 to 1935 steel
playing," Bob adds. "Since then, Led and I have developed a nearly
telepathic musical rapport. And I've developed a whole new language
for accompanying slack key. But mainly, I've learned a lot about the
act of playing music from this amazing guy I consider to be a genius."
IN THE SADDLE contains fourteen tracks: two vocals and twelve
instrumentals. As with most Dancing Cat releases, the main emphasis is
on creative interpretations of Hawaiian classics. These include
familiar favorites, like Aloha Ia O Wai`anae and No Ke Ano
Ahiahi, as well as rarities such as He Olu La No`u, last
recorded by the great Sol Ho`opi`i in the 1920s. While both Led and
Bob play with great love for tradition, they also enjoy adding their
own touches. On Waialae Waltz, for example, they play with a
strong 6/8 feel, giving the slack key standard a slight Mexican
flavor. Indian musician Subhashis Bhattacharya also joins them on tabla, adding another unique ingredient.
Originals on IN THE SADDLE include Ami Ami Slack Key,
and the title track, which marks Bob's debut on slack key guitar.
"I've got to start catching up," he jokes.
Bob maintains a nearly superhuman tour schedule throughout the
year, every year. Live performance tours are a vital part Bob's
activity, in addition to his collaborations. He tours constantly
throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa.
As Bob says, "There's so much music out there…I guess I'll get some
sleep in the next life!"
For more information on Bob, visit
www.dancingcat.com
and Bob's own website,
www.bobbrozman.com

Bob last performed in The Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key
Guitar Concert Series at The Napili Kai Beach Resort, Maui on
June 20, 2007. He previously performed in this series at The
Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, on June 21, 2006
and June 29, 2004 and before that on December 9, 2003.
|