LAHAINA, MAUI--The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has
named the Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Live from Maui
album as a nominee for Best Hawaiian Music Album of the Year.
Featured on the CD is music by top slack key artists Ledward Kaapana,
Cyril Pahinui, Dennis Kamakahi, Martin Pahinui, George Kahumoku Jr,
Ozzie Kotani, Daniel Ho and Keoki Kahumoku. Also performing on the
album are Bobby Ingano on steel guitar, Richard Ho’opi’i with
Hawaiian falsetto and Peter deAquino and Garrett Probst on ukulele.
This is the third Grammy nomination for Keoki Kahumoku.
Like the previous album of this series, which won a Grammy in 2006,
the Legends CD is a compilation of live music captured
at the weekly Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series at
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui.
Producers of the album are Daniel Ho, Wayne Wong, George Kahumoku Jr
and Paul Konwiser. “One of the beautiful things about honoring a
compilation album like this one is that so many wonderful artists
are showcased, including two Pahinui brothers, ” Konwiser said. “I’m
particularly happy to see this recognition go to Uncle Richard
Ho'opi'i, a legendary musician in his own right. And I can’t say
enough about the Ritz-Carlton, whose support has made all of this
possible. ”
“There’s a saying that lightning never strikes the same place twice,”
said producer Wayne Wong. “Making the final Grammy nominations list
after last year’s award is a confirmation of our love for the music
and the Hawaiian culture. Mahalo nui to our artists, to the
Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua for their support and to our ohana. ”
George Kahumoku was smiling from ear to ear. “It was great bringing
home the Grammy earlier this year. If you loved last year's winning
CD, The Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, you'll
go bananas over this year's Legends Album. We are so
fortunate that on this album we were joined by National Folk Legend,
Leo Ki'eki'e and ukulele Artist Richard Ho'opi'i, as well as
stellar steel guitarist Bobby Ingano. One of the goals of our
Hawaiian Slack Key Concert Series has always been to promote the
next generation of Hawaiian music. We’re really happy to again
feature ‘The Ukulele Boys,’ Hawaii's youngest Grammy winning
performers, Peter deAquino and Garrett Probst.” Kahumoku also added
that he wishes all this year’s nominees good luck in the upcoming
Grammy awards in Los Angeles in February.
The concert series recently began its fourth year in operation by
welcoming the 20,000th guest to the theater at the Ritz-Carlton,
Kapalua. The hotel General Manager, Javier Cano, is pleased with its
role in the Grammy nomination as well as the success of the concert
series. “Warmest congratulations to everyone with Masters of
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series. It has been an honor to
have these gifted artists play here at The Ritz-Carlton.”
Clifford Nae’ole, the hotel’s Cultural Affairs Advisor was
instrumental in bringing the show to Maui. “The Slack Key Masters
concert has now enlisted 20,000 aficionados and allies who spread
the word and continue to grow in number.”
The 49th annual Grammy awards will be presented in Los Angeles on
February 11, 2007. The on-going performance schedule for the Masters
of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series can be found at
www.slackkey.com.
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Tickets are $45 per show general admission, and there is a kamaaina
discount available for state
residents with a current Hawai`i driver's license. For reservations,
call toll-free (888) 669-3858 or (808) 669-3858 in Hawai`i. Check the
ongoing performance schedule of artists on the website
http://www.slackkey.com.
About Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Productions, Inc
Founded for the love of the music and grounded in the concept of aloha, Hawaiian
Slack Key Guitar Productions, Inc is dedicated to perpetuating and
preserving traditional Hawaiian music, especially the unique Hawaiian
acoustic guitar art form known as “Ki-ho’alu” (Hawaiian Slack Key).
The corporation develops programs, events and the concert series to create a
deeper awareness and understanding of this authentic Hawaiian cultural
art form. View the ongoing performance schedule of artists on the
website www.slackkey.com. | 
