A Day of Slack Key
“Just as country has their bluegrass, Spanish music has their flamenco, Hawaiian has their slack key guitar.” George Kuo is one of the featured artists at Aug. 31st’s Labor Day Unity Concert.
The Labor Unions of Hawaii will sponsor a Labor Day Unity Concert at the Waikiki Shell on Sun., Aug. 31, from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sponsored by the Musicians Performance Trust Fund and Local 677, slack key guitar master George Kuo and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders will kick off the event.
Free admission.
WATCH: “OPIHI MOEMOE,” THUNDER VALLEY RESORT — Did you know George Kuo kinda introduced Chet Atkins to slack key guitar? [https://youtu.be/cbFDrGIDI3w?si=Tt9gsGnqUJ9S9sjJ]
Mentoring the Next…
One Monday each month at Studio 909 at 6 p.m., musicians and jazz lovers get to enjoy Abe Lagrimas’ highly successful Jazz Jam Sessions. All musicians are welcome. Professionals, college and high school students alike are playing side by side, experiencing the joy of jazz improvisation.
This year’s Jazz Jams are supported by generous donations from: Sonya Mendez, Lori Ann Kibota, Mary Ann Berry, Jim Guss, Carole Kai, Rene Mansho, and Steve Louie. We love our donors!
Next sessions: July 7, Aug. 11, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 10, Dec. 15.
WATCH: Abe Lagrimas Jr. and Noel Okimoto engage in a battle of the vibes to the Chick Corea cover, “Armando’s Rhumba,” March 30, 2023, live at Studio 909. [https://youtu.be/_SnEHtz8I_w?si=tGxfSxV7I2nJYW8Y]
Hot Ticket: Noel Okimoto’s Ohana Jazz Hawai’i
Noel Okimoto’s Ohana Jazz Hawai’i (left to right): pianist Tommy James, vibist Abe Lagrimas Jr., bassist Dean Taba, clarinetist Allen Won, guest musician — saxophonist Ryan Howe, and drummer Okimoto, holding down the fort.
The man himself, Noel Okimoto.
Noel Okimoto’s Ohana Jazz Hawai’i played to a full house at Studio 909 recently. The band kept the good vibes rolling in a June 26th concert. Mahalo, Tommy James (piano), Abe Lagrimas Jr. (vibes), Allen Won (sax, clarinet), Dean Taba (bass), Okimoto (percussion), and guest musician, Ryan Howe (bassoon, sax).
WATCH: Scenes from the Sept. 26, 2024 Ohana Jazz Hawai’i concert at Studio 909… [https://youtu.be/lInwhicUnDs?si=j-DtcxFxUTXMzYnG]
From the Summer 2025 issue, Ke Ola O Na Mele