Jerry Santos
September 26, 2009
3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
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Best known for his work in the
musical group Olomana, singer/songwriter Jerry Santos has been a
familiar presence on the Hawaii music scene for almost four decades.
From his first solo
professional gig at the age of 18, Jerry has gone on to establish
himself as a singer and song writer. After a few years of playing
the clubs in Honolulu and a brief stint in California, he returned
home to team up with Robert Beaumont in1974 to form the group
Olomana. He helped to create a unique and easily recognizable
musical style, blending Hawaiian music with contemporary rhythms.
Over the years he has had the opportunity, as a soloist or with
Olomana, to perform his music all over Hawai’i, the continental USA,
Canada, Japan and other Pacific Island Nations. He has performed his
music with The Honolulu symphony, The Honolulu City Ballet and The
Hawaii Youth Symphony.
His work has been recognized by the Hawai’i musical community with
numerous awards. Amongst them are awards for male vocalist, for
composition, and for both traditional and contemporary Hawaiian
music. Honolulu Magazine named Olomana’s first recording, “Like a
Seabird in the Wind”, #11 on their list of the Top 50 Albums of all
time and Jerry’s signature song “Ku’u Home O Kahalu’u” was voted #7
on the top 50 Songs of all time. Olomana was recently awarded a
Lifetime Achievement Award by The Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts
for their body of work over the years.
Jerry is perhaps most honored by his Moe Keale; Aloha is Award, an
award that acknowledges a performer’s contributions to his
community. Over the years he and Olomana have lent their support to
hula halau, civic clubs, community organizations, local and national
charities, and have used their visibility to bring attention to
issues that are important to our island home. The importance of
sharing between the generations and having respect for our home and
our people has played an important role in carrying the music to all
parts of Hawaii from Kaho’olawe to Kalaupapa, from Hawai’i to Kaua’i.
