by Bryant | Jun 14, 2014 | News
Jazz Legends Valery Ponomarev, Tommy James and Five-Time Grammy® Nominated Vocalist Amy Hānaiali’i Headlined Jazz Maui 2014!
Presented by the non-profit Arts Education for Children Group, Jazz Maui took place from July 28th through August 3rd and featured live performances by Tommy James of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, legendary NYC trumpet player Valery Ponomarev, Maui’s own five-time Grammy® nominated vocalist Amy Hānaiali’i and many more.
Festival performances offer a rare match up of on and off island talent performing with guest artists, backed by ensembles of local and visiting jazz musicians.
Jazz Maui 2014 also included workshops for musicians of all levels, taught by guest artists. Workshop highlights included a Big Band Swing workshop with Tommy James, a horn workshop with Valery Ponomarev, and a vocal workshop with renowned Honolulu vocalist Shari Lynn.
Jazz Maui is produced by Arts Education for Children Group (AECG), a nonprofit organization, to provide music students on Maui an opportunity to participate in instructional workshops and jam sessions conducted by internationally acclaimed jazz musicians and music educators. With this goal, Jazz Maui develops signature events featuring high quality jazz and various music performances for the enjoyment and enrichment of Maui visitors and residents.
Ticket prices and event locations vary. See the
past schedule for more detailed information. These events sold out fast!
About Jazz Maui 2014:
“Jazz Maui 2014 provides an opportunity for local residents, music students, aspiring young musicians, professional musicians, and jazz music aficionados to participate in and/or attend high quality jazz music performance concerts on Maui. We provide a venue for young aspiring local jazz musicians to establish connections within the professional jazz music scene that may facilitate career opportunities,” states Jazz Maui Founder, Bryant Neal.
Jazz Maui would not be possible without the generous support of Equity One Realty, the County of Maui, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Dancin’ Dave Productions, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, The Whaler’s Village, Makana Aloha Foundation, Sumek Dance, LLC, and Mana’o Hana Hou Radio.
by Bryant | Jun 14, 2014 | News
Jazz Maui 2014 presents Holiday Swing, Sunday Dec 14 at the Four Seasons Resort Wailea – Maui
Jazz Maui 2014 presents “Holiday Swing” with the Big Band sounds of the Moonglow All-Stars featuring special guests vibraphonist Emil Richards and saxophonist Eric Schneider on Sunday, December 14 from 5-8pm at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Tickets are $40 per person, $350 for a table of ten, and are available at www.jazzmaui.org or by calling (808) 283-3576.
“We are thrilled to present two of the world’s most highly-regarded musicians,” says Bryant Neal, director of Jazz Maui. “This is a rare opportunity for Maui’s residents and visitors to spend an evening with jazz legends such as Emil Richards and Eric Schnieder.”
Emil Richards’ illustrious career began in the 1950s and, since then, he has played and/or recorded for most of the famous names in music including: Charles Mingues, Perry Como, Ray Charles, George Shearing, Paul Horn, Shorty Rogers, Frank Sinatra, Nelson Riddle, Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughan, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Stan Kenton, the Beach Boys, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, and many, many more.
Tenor-saxophonist Eric Schneider is an institution in the Chicago jazz scene, having played topnotch jazz for 30 years. He gained recognition when he was a member of the Earl Hines Quartet during 1979-82 (also playing alto and clarinet), and he toured with the Count Basie Orchestra during 1982-83. He has also performed with Benny Goodman, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Rosemary Clooney and Billy Eckstine.
The 17-piece Moonglow All-Stars, under the direction of Lisa Owen,specialize in swing music of the 1940s and 50s. The music is geared for ballroom dancing and there is plenty of room to swing on the resort’s 900-foot dance floor. Vocalist Louise Lambert opens the show at 5pm and the entire band takes the stage at 6pm.
In celebration of Jazz Maui, the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is offering a prix fixe dinner before or after the show at the poolside restaurant, DUO Steak and Seafood. The three-course menu for Holiday Swing attendees includes choice of appetizer (Baby Beet Salad or Crispy Tempura Short Ribs Steamed Buns); entrée (Flat Iron Steak or Seared Mahi Mahi); and, dessert (Warm Ono Farm Banana Toffee Pudding or Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brulee). The price is $49. Advance reservations are recommended and may be made by calling the hotel’s concierge at 808-874-2201.
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Jazz Maui is produced by the nonprofit organization Arts Education for Children Group (www.aecg.org) and supported by Sara Gadarian
(mauisaraJazz.com) and Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. For more information, visit www.jazzmaui.org or call (808) 283-3576.
Get Your Tickets Now!
by Bryant | Feb 11, 2014 | Artists
Casey Nagata is in his third year of teaching at King Kekaulike High School. He serves as the school’s music director for its symphonic band, jazz band, marching/pep bands, pit orchestra, concert choir, ukulele ensemble, and guitar ensemble, Tri-M Music Honor Society faculty advisor, and music theory and composition course instructor. He is also a co-founder of the Chop Suey Jazz Orchestra and one of its current music directors along with Siuai Laufou and Richard Tadaki.
Casey graduated from Gonzaga University in 2009 with degrees in music education, music composition, and jazz performance. Prior to his position at KKHS, he worked as a substitute teacher, GED tutor, and Home Hospital instructor in the Maui and Spokane school districts, reed manufacturer at Jones Double Reed Products, and freelance musician and composer. His teachers include Sylvia Baker, David Fague, Robert Spittal, and Fr. Kevin Waters, SJ.
by Bryant | Feb 11, 2014 | Artists 2014
The Chop Suey Jazz Combo is an offshoot of the newly revived Chop Suey Jazz Orchestra. Made up of professional and semi-pro musicians and educators, the Chop Suey Jazz Combo features drummer Perry Gragas, guitarist Rusty Higa, guest bassist Danny M., trombonist Richard Tadaki (retired Iao Intermediate band director), and tenor saxophonist Siuai Laufou (Kamehameha Schools Maui music director).
by Bryant | Feb 11, 2014 | Swing 2014
Tenor-saxophonist Eric Schneider is an institution in the Chicago jazz scene, having played topnotch jazz for 30 years. He gained recognition when he was a member of the Earl Hines Quartet during 1979-82 (also playing alto and clarinet), and he toured with the Count Basie Orchestra during 1982-83. He has also performed with Benny Goodman, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Rosemary Clooney and Billy Eckstine.
