LAHAINA, MAUI -Maui’s very own Grammy award-winning Hawaiian Slack Key
Guitar Productions will celebrate the 5th Anniversary of
their “Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series” with a
special show on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 7:30 p.m in
the Aloha Pavilion at Napili Kai Beach Resort, located on
picturesque Napili Bay in West Maui.
This year’s anniversary celebration concert, hosted by George
Kahumoku, Jr., will feature Ledward Kaapana , Uncle Richard Ho`opi`i
and Kevin Brown as well as talented young artists, Peter deAquino
and Sterling Seaton. Tickets are on sale for $45 per person. A
kama`aina rate is available for those with Hawai`i driver licenses
or identification cards. For show reservations, call 1-888-669-3858.
The slack key concert series at Napili Kai, recognized nationwide,
is the home of slack key in Hawai`i. George Winston, world-renowned
pop instrumental pianist as well as owner and producer of Dancing
Cat Records noted that the weekly concert series is the only venue
dedicated to slack key guitar in the world.
Concert-goers can enjoy a three-course “Slack Key Sunset Dinner” or
light pupus and tropical cocktails prior to the show at Napili Kai
Beach Resort’s Sea House Restaurant and Bar; appetizers are served
on the lanai all day and dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy
one of the most romantic seaside spots on Maui before strolling up
to the pavilion for the show. To make dinner reservations, call
(808) 669-1500. Special overnight “Slack Key” room rates are also
available; to book a stay, call Napili Kai Reservations toll-free
(800) 367-5030.
The popular series was founded in 2003 by Paul Konwiser, Wayne Wong
and George Kahumoku, Jr., who developed the concept of the shows:
music combined with personal stories to provide an expanded view of
Hawaii’s culture and musical heritage in a dignified concert
setting. George Kahumoku is the musical host of every show and
features a different guest each week.
The Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar have been honored with
three consecutive Grammies for their compilation CDs at the 48th,
49th and 50th Grammy Awards: Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key
Guitar, Volume 1; Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key
Guitar, Live on Maui and Treasures of Hawaiian Slack
Key Guitar. These CDs were compiled from the best recordings
of each of the weekly concerts.
The fourth and most exciting CD was just released in September 2008
entitled, The Spirit of Hawaiian
Slack Key Guitar. It features George Kahumoku, Dennis
Kamakahi, Keoki Kahumoku, Sonny Lim, Owana Salazar, Daniel Ho, Peter
deAquino and Sterling Seaton. The record also includes special
guests Richard Ho`opi`i, (falsetto), Bobby Ingano (lap steel
guitar), Norton Buffalo (harmonica) and Herb Ohta Jr. (`ukulele).
The concerts take place every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Napili Kai
Beach Resort in Lahaina, Maui. In addition to CDs by the performing
artists of the week and the Grammy award-winning recordings, the
merchandise table offers the best slack key music selection in
Hawai`i and a variety of instructional materials for guitar and
`ukulele. More information, digital photos, press kit and the artist
schedule for the Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series
can be found online at slackkey.com.
Concert, Dinner and Room Reservation Contact Numbers:
Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Reservations, 1-888-669-3858
Napili Kai’s Sea House Restaurant Reservations, 808-669-1500
Napili Kai Beach Resort Room Reservations, 1-800-367-5030
ABOUT THE ARTISTS; MASTERS OF HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR 5TH
ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Ledward Kaapana has been a
professional musician for over 40 years. His mastery of stringed
instruments, particularly slack key guitar, and extraordinary
baritone and leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voice have made him a musical
legend. His easy-going style and kolohe (rascal) charm have made him
a favorite of audiences from Brussels to his birthplace on the Big
Island of Hawaii.
Uncle Richard Ho'opi'i is
one of Hawai'i's most beloved singers. Best known as one half of the
popular Maui duo, The Ho'opi'i Brothers, he has been practicing the
traditional Hawaiian art of leo ki'eki'e (falsetto) for most of his
life. He and his brother, Solomon (his life-long singing partner)
were recipients of the prestigious National Endowment of the Arts
Folk Heritage Fellowship, America's highest honor for traditional
artists.
Kevin Brown was born on
November 17, 1955, but his beautiful slack key guitar style dates
back a generation or two earlier. Like most other slack key masters,
Kevin learned to play from previous generations of his family. His
father Harry is a well-known Hawaiian musician, and it was natural
for Kevin and his brother Sheldon to learn to play ukulele, steel
guitar and slack key guitar.
George Kahumoku, Jr.
received the accolade, “Hawaii’s Renaissance Man” because he still
knows the old ways of farming and fishing and can survive off the
land, yet every morning he works the internet, fielding
international requests for his popular performances, and teaches art
to students at Lahainaluna High School.
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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 Hawaii corporation develops programs, events and the
concert series to create a deeper awareness and understanding of
this authentic Hawaiian cultural art form.
Digital photos of the artists are available on request. |
