George Kuo, Bobby Ingano,
Aaron Mahi & Martin Pahinui
August 29, 2009
3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. No Patio Performances
Aloha Series Home Next Performer>
Martin, George & Aaron
We
are proud to present George Kuo (6 and 12 string slack key guitar),
Martin Pahinui (6 string slack key guitar), Bobby Ingano (Steel guitar)
and Aaron Mahi (bass guitar), who bring us the traditional folk art of
Hawaiian slack key guitar and vocal melodies. They are known for their
deep soulful delivery projected in a language and feeling that anyone
can understand and appreciate. Their performance features the
breathtaking intimacy of solo slack key guitar followed by a rousing
trio jam session, trading spontaneous instrument solos and unique vocal
harmonies, recreating the atmosphere of a Hawaiian backyard party. Each
of them are highly accomplished and recognized Hawaiian musicians that
have been performing together many years, for the pure enjoyment of
perpetuating traditional music and reciprocating and embellishing each
other's talents, to where these feelings become instilled in all
audiences.
GEORGE KUO - Known for perpetuating traditional Hawaiian slack key
guitar styling (kiho`alu), George started playing slack key in the
1970's at garage jam-sessions, bars, concerts, and parties with friends
and old-time slack key masters Raymond Kane, Sonny Chillingworth, Gabby
Pahinui, Leland "Atta" Isaacs, Leonard Kwan, Tommy Solomon, Uncle Fred
Punahoa, and steel guitar master Barney Isaacs. George shares the
feelings and enjoyment of a by-gone era in Hawaii that he was fortunate
to have been a part of. George formed a group in 1980 named the Kipapa
Rush Band, and later joined Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawaii in 1986,
and currently performs steadily at the Waikiki Marriott Hotel and in
concerts across the United States and Japan with Martin Pahinui, and
Aaron Mahi. George has done several slack-key recordings, most recently
on the Dancing Cat/Windham Hill records produced by George Winston.
MARTIN PAHINUI - Martin is known for his out-of-this-world singing and
legendary family musical tradition. Martin's incredible voice range from
a low deep bass to a rich high and haunting falsetto is reminiscent of
his legendary father, Gabby Pahinui. Martin grew up listening and
watching his dad and other legendary performer friends gather at their
home for rehearsals and memorable jam sessions that sometimes lasted for
several days. Martin played on his father's recordings with his brothers
Cyril, Bla, Philip, and master slack-key guitarists Leland "Atta" Isaacs
and Sonny Chillingworth. Martin performed at nightclubs on Maui for many
years before coming home and playing with the Peter Moon Band in the
1980's and 1990's. Currently Martin performs with George Kuo and Aaron
Mahi at their regular engagements and concert tours. Martin has done
many recordings with his family on Panini Records; The Peter Moon Band (Kanikapila
Productions); a solo CD Martin Pahinui (Mountain Apple Productions); and
with George Kuo, Dennis and David Kamakahi, on a CD titled Hui Aloha,
and with George Kuo, Aaron Mahi, and Bobby Ingano on the CD, Ho`olohe
(Dancing Cat/Windham Hill Records).
AARON MAHI - Aaron is one of Hawaii's living legends in traditional
Hawaiian music. He has a tremendous repertoire and knowledge of the
hidden meanings of traditional Hawaiian songs, and combines traditional
Hawaiian with formal music arranging, and has achieved the highest
accolades in classical music circles. Upon graduating with distinction
from the Hart School of Music, he performed as a bassist and later
became the assistant conductor for the Honolulu Symphony, and currently,
Aaron has been the conductor of the City and County of Honolulu's Royal
Hawaiian Band since 1980. Aaron is also fluent in Hawaiian language and
perpetuates many of the old ways that he spent time learning from his
family and from many elder Hawaiians that were famous musicians,
arrangers, and songwriters. Aaron is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools,
famous for its Hawaiian musical tradition and he learned and performed
with his classmates, many who became prominent Hawaiian musicians. Aaron
is Hawaii's musical ambassador to the world as he performs with various
Hawaiian shows and was the conductor for 24 years from 1981 to 2005 with
the Royal Hawaiian Band all over the world. Aaron has recorded with and
arranged recordings with many legendary Hawaiian artists.
Bobby Ingano - For over a
decade Bobby has been recognized as one of Hawaii's finest steel
guitarists. He has performed and recorded with many of Hawaii's greatest
recording artists including Amy Gilliom, The Ka'a'u Crater Boys, The
Brothers Cazimero, Martin Pahinui, Willie K., The Ho'opii Brothers,
Kekuhi Kanahele, and many others. Bobby was featured on the CD Legends
of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar winner of the 2006 Grammy award for Best
Hawaiian Album. Bobby has toured the Hawaiian Islands, the mainland
United States, and Japan as a headliner and sideman. He is also a
regular contributor and participant at clinics, steel guitar
conventions, and music festivals. Bobby has recorded two CDs as a solo
artist, the latest entitled Stranger Here released in 2007 on
Get-Your-Own-Band Records. His playing is melodic, understated, and
indisputably Hawaiian.
