 HERB
OHTA, JR represents a new generation of 'Ukulele players
influencing people to pick up the "best known Hawaiian instrument" and
learn to play Herb's grandmother taught him his first song on the
'Ukulele at the tender age of three. His father, Ohta-San (Herb
Ohta, Sr.) gave Herb his early instruction on the 'Ukulele and Herb
continued to study music playing the viola at University High School.
After being inspired by listening to the Makaha Sons and other
local musicians over a decade ago, he became a devotee of "Hawaiian
Music." The "Ukulele is in his genes and Hawaiian music is in his
blood.Herb's style is reminiscent of his father, but distinct and
recognizable as his very own. There is a graceful nahenahe
(soft, sweet, melodious) quality that is very Hawaiian, reflecting the
inspirations of "Ukulele virtuoso's Eddie Kamae and Slack
Key guitar great Ledward Kaapana.
At age eleven, Herb began teaching for his father's 'Ukulele school
and in 1992, started his own Herb Ohta, Jr 'Ukulele School. He
continues to teach at multiple facilities as well as provides private
lessons by request. Even while teaching six days a week, Herb also
finds time to compose new material and perform publicly.
His debut as a recording artist was in 1990, on his father's album,
Ohta-San, "Ka Mea Ho'okani 'Ukulele." In
1995 he was featured on the 'Ukulele Stylings #1, "The Best with
the Best." where he earned a Na Hoku Hanohano Awards
nomination for "Most Promising Artist." In 1998, Herb earned
another nomination, this time in the category for "Best Instrumental
of the year" for his first solo album, "Ka Hanauna Hou."
The next year, 1999, Herb released his second solo album "Pure
and Simple," that produced his third Na Hoku nomination,
again for "Best Instrumental of the year." His latest solo
release was this year (2003), a mostly instrumental album called "`Ukulele
Romance."
In 2000, Herb wanted to try something different. He teamed up with
Slack Key guitar master Keoki Kahumoku and released "Hawaiian
from the Heart." Then in 2002, again teamed with Keoki
Kahumoku, they released "Treasures of Aloha". Herb,
Jr. plays the perfect straight man to Keoki's wala`au (loose
banter). Like his father, Herb, Jr has a low-key, ha'aha'a
(humble) presence. He lets his nahenahe – "soft, sweet,
melodious" – music on the 'Ukulele do the talking with its beautiful
harmonies, breaks, harmonics and intricate fingerwork.
As a teacher, composer, recording artist, entertainer and producer,
Herb Ohta, Jr. solidly establishes himself in the company of musicians
who promote Hawaiian instruments in the music landscape today. It is
Herb's goal to share the beauty of Hawaiian music and its culture to
people all over the world. He is certainly a vanguard in this new
generation of 'Ukulele players.
Herb is featured on our newest compilation CD:
The Spirit of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar
(2008 Daniel Ho Records) just nominated for the
51st Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Hawaiian Music Album!
For more information on Herb, Jr, visit
www.herbohtajr.com
Herb last performed in The Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key
Guitar Concert Series at The Napili Kai Beach Resort, Maui on
June 18, 2008.
He previously performed in this series at the Napili Kai Beach Resort
on June 20, 2007 and before that at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on December 23, 2003. |
