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.
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.
Dan Sumner keeps a very active schedule as a guitarist, playing and teaching Jazz and Classical music.
Dan Sumner keeps a very active schedule as a guitarist, playing and teaching Jazz and Classical music. His playing can be heard on more than a dozen recordings including the critically acclaimed releases from the New Orleans based group Permagrin. He took first prize in the professional division at the University of Texas at Brownsville International Guitar festival in 2009 with the McPike/Sumner Duo.
New Orleans was his home for 13 years during which he performed regularly in clubs. He has toured worldwide with several acts including Permagrin, The Louis Romanos Quartet, Glyn Styler, and Jesus Christ Superstar. His studies took him to Capital University, the New England Conservatory of Music, and Indiana University, where he is in the final stages of finishing a Doctorate of Music Education. He is currently assistant professor of music education and guitar at the University of Louisiana-Monroe.
Louis Romanos began his career in music in West Hartford, CT winning first chair in the award-winning Pops ‘n’ Jazz band.
This opportunity led to region competitions where Louis won awards for outstanding musicianship. He was also offered a scholarship to attend the Berkley School of Music which he turned down to go to the birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans, to study music and philosophy. He was a professional musician in the Big Easy for 15 years. In that time he performed and recorded with a number of renowned musicians including Gene Bertoncini, Steve Masakowski, Charles and Cyril Neville, Al Hirt, Dave Easley of Brian Blade’s Fellowship Band, Charlie Miller of Dr. John’s band, Jazz Legend Earl Turbinton, Mark Mullins of Harry Connick Jr.’s Band, Tricia Boutte of Galactic, Rich Vogel of Galactic, Skeric, Dave Anderson of the Louisiana Philharmonic and many, many more.