by Abi Braceros | Oct 15, 2024 | Artists, Artists 2024
Vocalist Nara Boone, a professional singer since the age of 14,–performed throughout the islands and in Los Angeles. She was hired as a lead vocalist and original cast member of Maui Theatre’s award-winning show, ‘Ulalena, showcasing the myths, legends and history of Hawai’i’s people. Well known for her vocal prowess she has also performed with Crazy Fingers and Marty Dread. The third oldest of nine kids, she attended Haiku Elementary School where she learned to read music and performed in her first talent show, thus setting the stage for her professional singing career. Boone has sung backup/lead on more than 25 albums to date.
by Abi Braceros | Oct 11, 2024 | Artists, Artists 2024
Stan Kessler is a trumpet/flugelhorn player, band leader, clinician, and educator who has been a fixture in the Kansas City jazz scene for the last 33 years. He was voted best trumpet player and leader of the best jazz band (Sons of Brasil) in Kansas City by the Pitch Weekly Music readers’ poll, received many other awards, and is in the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. His expertise includes jazz, R&B, funk, and all latin genres, especially brasilian and afro-cuban. Kessler also plays drums and hand percussion and does extensive writing and arranging for small groups. He maintains an adjunct position at Missouri Western State College in jazz trumpet, theory and improvisation, and music business classes. Stan has appeared in concert with Clark Terry, Paquito D’Rivera, Ernie Watts, Gary Foster, Karrin Allyson, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Watson, John Clayton, Kim Park, and many others.
by Abi Braceros | Oct 1, 2024 | Artists, Artists 2024
Loren Tilley
Michael Guzalak
Guitarist Loren Tilley and Michael Guzalak on clarinet and saxophone often perform together in the band “Swing Star” playing Gypsy jazz in the style of Django Reinhardt’s Hot Club of France. This musical style includes swinging jazz, waltz, passionate ballads, Bossa Nova as well as the sound of European gypsies. Multi-instrumentalists, they have played in many different bands and styles of music, from accordion to zydeco.
by Abi Braceros | Apr 2, 2024 | Artists, Artists 2023, Artists 2024
Chad Lefkowitz-Brown is a New York-based saxophonist and recording artist recognized for his work as a soloist in the genres of jazz and pop music. Hailed as a “Sax Phenom” by the New York Daily News, Chad is a featured artist on two Grammy winning albums, and has toured through six continents playing venues from Carnegie Hall to the Super Bowl. As a bandleader, he has headlined jazz venues and festivals around the world. As a soloist, Chad has joined acts like Chris Botti, Arturo Sandoval, and Christian McBride. No stranger to the big screen, Chad has been featured on numerous TV shows with pop icons like Taylor Swift, rock legends like Don Henley, as well as the Hollywood film, “Here Today” with Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish.
Visit www.chadlb.com
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 8, 2014 | Artists
DeShannon has played jazz trumpet and flugelhorn professionally in both Hawaii and New York City for over 20 years. He has performed around the world and in famous venues such as Birdland, Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall. DeShannon is one of the founding members of the group “Bop Tribal” whose recording received a 4-star review in Downbeat Magazine and contended for a Grammy Award in the Best Jazz Solo category (DeShannon’s solo on “Jellyfish”). His styles range from be-bop to New York-style hard bop and Latin jazz. As a bandleader, composer, recording artist, and visionary, he has assembled two bands of his own creation: gr00ve.imProV.arTists (an urban jazz-electronica dance band) and Quadpod (a neo-bop quartet).
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