Born and raised in Japan, Shiro Mori brings a unique and original flavor into his musical expression. Honing his skills on the New York jazz scene, he has developed his own personal style as a performer, composer, and arranger. Presently his artistic and creative home is on the island of Maui, where he is a major player of both guitar and piano.
Ellen Bellerose began studying jazz at 14 and started singing professionally at age 16. She performed as vocalist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, then conducted by the great clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, touring the US, Canada, Japan and Europe. Ellen played lounges and nightclubs with jazz trios, quartets and orchestras on the mainland and in Honolulu before moving to Maui in 1984. She continues to pursue her lifelong passion of jazz singing in her weekly appearances at Kahana Grill with Shiro Mori.
Mahalo to Jazz Maui 2014 Supporters:
Equity One Real Estate, Inc.
The County of Maui
Makana Aloha Foundation
The Hawaii Tourism Authority
Dancin’ Dave Productions
Ritz-Carlton Kapalua
The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
Mana’o Hana Hou Radio
Whalers Village
Village Galleries Maui
Arts Education for Children Group invites you to become a sponsor of Jazz Maui 2014. Please click below for all details:
Lisa Owen is founder and music director ofthe Maui Community Band, which is comprised of musicians from allwalks of life—doctors, opera singers, car salesmen, bankers, teachers, hotel workers, high school students and retirees. The band includes more than 50 members ranging in age from 12 to 74. About half are students from local intermediate and high schools who yearn for more playing experience and challenges. The rest are adults who enjoy maintaining their skills, entertaining and mentoring the younger musicians. The band also includes seven band directors, most of whom serve as assistant conductors.
Alex Noppe teaches applied trumpet, jazz, and chamber music.
He is currently finishing a Doctorate of Music in Brass Literature and Pedagogy from Indiana University. He previously completed a Master of Music at Indiana and holds dual bachelor degrees in Trumpet Performance and Jazz Studies from the University of Michigan. Alex has performed with the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra, Hal Leonard Jazz Orchestra, David Baker Big Band, and the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra. He is the resident composer/arranger for the Mirari Brass Quintet, which performs more than 25 concerts a year to audiences across the United States. He has appeared on stage alongside Eric Alexander, Chris Potter, Hank Jones, the Count Basie Orchestra, John Clayton, Leonard Slatkin, and Garrison Keillor.