(Pedrito Martinez)
By Staff Reports
(Honolulu) – Blue Note Hawaii, the state’s premier venue for the world’s most celebrated artists, opens its March lineup with Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano and guitarist John Scofield. Blue Note Hawaii cranks up the heat with the Cuban rhythms of the Pedrito Martinez Group, and builds on the momentum with the celebrated and “uncategorizable” saxophonist Kamasi Washington. Later in the month, Hawaiian music legend Melveen Leed takes the stage for one-night-only. Bobby Caldwell blends rousing R&B, intimate smooth jazz stylings, and big band songs, and José James combines jazz, soul, drum’n’bass, and spoken word into his own unique brand of vocal jazz. Blue Note Hawaii also introduces Gospel Brunch, with the first of the series debuting Easter Sunday with a 1:00 p.m. showtime, with doors opening at 11:00 a.m. March also brings new evening showtimes at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively. Next month, Blue Note Hawaii welcomes:
John Scofield & Joe Lovano Quartet
March 1 to 6, 2016
Tickets: $45, $35 & $25. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount across all price levels.
Showtimes: 6:30 pm (Doors open 5 pm) & 9 pm (Doors open 8:30 pm)
Grammy Award-winners tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano and jazz guitar virtuoso John Scofield reunite for a riveting collaboration. With his distinctive diversity of post-bop, funk-edged jazz and R&B, Scofield has prominently led his own groups in the international jazz scene, recorded more than 35 albums as a leader, and collaborated with contemporary favorites and jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Pat Metheny and Charlie Haden. Lovano stands out as one of the most successful saxophonists in jazz. Lovano, about whom comments such as “The Most Powerful Italian tenor is not Pavorotti, but Lovano” were made, has many awards and at least 27 albums under his name.
Hotclub of Hulaville
March 7, 2016
Tickets: $30, $20 & $15. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount across all price levels.
Showtimes: 6:30 pm (Doors open 5 pm) & 9 pm (Doors open 8:30 pm)
With Hot Club of Hulaville, you never get just a concert. This Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning band never fails to please with swing jazz inspired by Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of Paris.
Pedrito Martinez Group
March 8 to 13, 2016
Tickets: $35, $25 & $15. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount across all price levels.
Showtimes: 6:30 pm (Doors open 5 pm) & 9 pm (Doors open 8:30 pm)
According to NPR’s All Things Considered, “The Pedrito Martinez Group is writing a new chapter in Cuban music history.” Born in Havana, Pedrito Martinez began his musical career at the age of 11, performing as vocalist and percussionist with such Cuban legends as Tata Guines and Los Munequitos de Matanzas. A consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music, he doesn’t just play the obligatory handful of standard batá rhythms – he plays the monumentally complex Oru seco exquisitely on each drum or on all three at once. Equally at home in popular music, his perfectly intoned tenor voice seamlessly combines popular and folkloric influences, infectious energy, humor, charisma and dance moves. The Pedrito Martinez Group has appeared at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Apollo Theater, Newport Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, TED Conference, Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Fest, and many more.
Kamasi Washington
March 14 to 16, 2016
Tickets: $45, $35 & $25. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount across all price levels.
Showtimes: 6:30 pm (Doors open 5 pm) & 9 pm (Doors open 8:30 pm)
On Kamasi Washington, The New York Times writes, “With his popular, political, uncategorizable jazz, the young saxophonist has become something his genre rarely produces anymore: a celebrity.” The jazz tenor saxophonist most recently worked on Kendrick Lamar’s acclaimed 2015 album To Pimp A Butterfly and released his groundbreaking solo album The Epic. It debuted at #1 on several iTunes Jazz charts, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Russia and UK. Over the years, Washington has performed and recorded with many of his musical heroes from various genres, including Gerald Wilson, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Burrell, George Duke, Lauryn Hill, Jeffrey Osborne, Mos Def, Quincy Jones, Stanley Clark, Harvey Mason and Chaka Khan. His own band “The Next Step” is a modern spin on a big band.
Bobby Caldwell and His R&B Band
March 17 to 20, 2016
Tickets: $45, $35 & $25. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount across all price levels.
Showtimes: 6:30 pm (Doors open 5 pm) & 9 pm (Doors open 8:30 pm)
Bobby Caldwell’s live performances are always electrifying. Drawing from his repertoire of rousing R&B, intimate smooth jazz stylings, and big band songs, Caldwell appeals to fans of all ages. In addition to touring, he starred as Frank Sinatra in the David Cassidy/Don Reo theatrical production The Rat Pack Is Back in Las Vegas. He has been featured on The CBS Second Cup Café, The Tonight Show starring Jay Leno, BET Jazz Central. His songwriting skills have earned hits not only for himself, but also for artists such as Chicago, Boz Scaggs, Peter Cetera and Amy Grant, Neil Diamond and Al Jarreau.
Melveen Leed
March 21, 2016
Tickets: $30, $20 & $15. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount across all price levels.
Showtimes: 6:30 pm (Doors open 5 pm) & 9 pm (Doors open 8:30 pm)
Born and raised on Moloka’i, Melveen Leed won the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Best Female Vocalist in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1984 and 1987. After winning the title of “Miss Molokai,” she launched her international career and has released records in the genres of Hawaiian, Country and Jazz. Fondly known as da Tita, Leed remains one of Hawaii’s greatest ambassadors. In her fifth decade of performing the music that she loves, Leed continues to create many moments of enjoyment for her many fans. “When she sings, she paints a picture in your mind of a beautiful place, or a special person. She is like a lei maker, weaving her words and music like colorful blossoms into a lei of melodies. Through her music she has traveled around the world, gathering new blossoms of song and friendship for her lei.”
The Blind Boys of Alabama
March 22 & 23, 2016
Tickets: $55, $45 & $35. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount across all price levels.
Showtimes: 6:30 pm (Doors open 5 pm) & 9 pm (Doors open 8:30 pm)
The Blind Boys of Alabama have the rare distinction of being recognized around the world as both living legends and modern-day innovators. They are not just gospel singers borrowing from old traditions; the group helped to define those traditions in the 20th century and almost single-handedly created a new gospel sound for the 21st. Since the original members first sang together as kids at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in the late 1930s (including Jimmy Carter, who leads the group today), the band has persevered through seven decades to become one of the most recognized and decorated roots music groups in the world. The Blind Boys’ live shows are roof-raising musical events that appeal to audiences of all cultures, as evidenced by an international itinerary that has taken them to virtually every continent.
Jose James
March 24 to 27, 2016
Tickets: $45, $35 & $25. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount across all price levels.
Showtimes: 6:30 pm (Doors open 5 pm) & 9 pm (Doors open 8:30 pm)
Often referred to as a jazz singer for the hip-hop generation, New York City-based vocalist José James combines jazz, soul, drum’n’bass, and spoken word into his own unique brand of vocal jazz. While he states his main influences as John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye, and Billie Holiday, his sound on early 12″ singles and in live performances brought to mind such icons of 70s jazz-soul as Terry Callier, and his music felt more like an update of the fluid crossover approach of Gil Scott-Heron, while also being distinctly his own. He has played on prestigious stages all over the world, including those at the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Victoria Jazz Festival, Billboard Live Tokyo, Centro Cultural São Paolo, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Central Park Summerstage in New York, and London’s Royal Festival Hall. He has also made numerous guest appearances on recordings by the Junior Mance Trio, Jazzanova, Nicola Conte, Basement Jaxx, and Chico Hamilton, to name a few.
Blue Note Gospel Brunch
Every Sunday beginning March 27th
Tickets: $47.50 for the brunch and show. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount excluding gratuity.
Showtime: 1:00 p.m. (Doors open at 11 am)
The Blue Note Gospel Choir, an international cast of extraordinary vocalists and musicians, has united to create the most exciting gospel choir in the Pacific Rim. Guests will savor finger-licking good comfort food from our award-winning chef while the uplifting music of The Blue Note Gospel Choir moves your spirit and your feet.
Kalapana
March 28 to 30, 2016
Tickets: $35, $25 & $20. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount across all price levels.
Showtimes: 6:30 pm (Doors open 5 pm) & 9 pm (Doors open 8:30 pm)
Kalapana emerged as one of the most popular bands on the Hawaiian music scene in the 70s, producing a steady stream of hits. Their eponymous 1975 debut album has been hailed as one of the best of the mid-70s Hawaiian renaissance, all with their trademark vocal harmonies, laid-back grooves, and popular originals. Kalapana went on to become the opening act for Earth Wind & Fire, Sly & the Family Stones, Cecilio & Kapono, and others. The band was nominated for several Nani Awards (the predecessor to the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards), with lead singer Mackey Feary winning “Best Male Vocal,” among others. Kalapana is Malani Bilyeu (vocals, guitar), DJ Pratt (lead guitar, vocals), Gaylord Holomalia (keyboards, vocals), Kenji Sano (bass, vocals), Todd Yukumoto (saxophone & flute), Garin Poliahu (drums) and John Valentine (vocals, guitar).
The Rough Riders
March 31 to April 2, 2016
Tickets: $45, $35 & $25. There is a 15% Kama’aina discount across all price levels.
Showtimes: 6:30 pm (Doors open 5 pm) & 9 pm (Doors open 8:30 pm)
Hawaii Music icons and award winning artists, Henry Kapono, John Cruz and Brother Noland bring to the stage the well-honed craft and power of 3 inspiring songwriters, 3 distinctive voices and the perfect blending of guitars to create an exceptional musical style. The “Rough Riders” name is inspired by the 1908 Hawaiian Rough Riders (Ikua Purdy, Archie Ka’aua & Jack Low), three Paniolo (cowboys) who combined their skills, determination & style and became World Rodeo Champions. Today’s Rough Riders, Henry, John & Brother Noland, have come together to create an exceptional musical style. From their vast catalog of original hits to some of Hawaii’s treasured classics to their new sound and provocative collaborations, the “Rough Riders” offer an intoxicating experience of music & legacy.
About Blue Note Hawaii
Located in the former Society of Seven showroom inside Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Blue Note Hawaii will feature a year-round lineup of musical entertainment – from local talent to international sensations – for limited engagements. As a part of Outrigger’s ongoing commitment to the musical arts, the performance venue has undergone an extensive, multi-million-dollar revitalization, creating a brand new venue in the heart of Hawaii’s most famed beach resort destination. Blue Note Hawaii features completely new décor and a state-of-the-art sound and light system.
The 9,000 square-foot facility was designed by local architecture and interior design firm InForm Design, and seats over 300 patrons, showcasing two performances nightly in an intimate setting – seven days a week, 365 days a year. A contemporary gift shop is part of the plan, including a dedicated location for musical acts to hold autograph sessions following each show. Guest will have the opportunity to dine at the venue, where a full-service restaurant and bar will highlight the culinary talents of Chef Rodney Uyehara. Talent buying and programming will be handled out of Blue Note Entertainment Group’s New York office. Additionally, the venue will be available for private event bookings.
About Blue Note Entertainment Group
Blue Note Entertainment Group, founded in 1981 by Danny Bensusan, is a multi-faceted entertainment company that owns and operates New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club, B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, Highline Ballroom, Subrosa, and Lucille’s Grill; The Howard Theatre (Washington D.C.); and Blue Note Jazz Clubs Worldwide (Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan and Milan, Italy). The company also programs the Regattabar Jazz Club (Cambridge, MA). Blue Note Entertainment Group presents shows outside of its club network. The annual Blue Note Jazz Festival was established in 2011 and has since grown to become the largest jazz festival in New York City each June. Subsidiaries of Blue Note Entertainment Group include the GRAMMY®-nominated record label Half Note Records, whose catalogue includes over fifty titles recorded live at New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club, as well as Blue Note Travel, Management Group and Media Group.
About Outrigger Enterprises Group
Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the largest and fastest growing privately held leisure lodging, retail and hospitality companies operating in the Asia Pacific, Oceania and Indian Ocean regions. As part of its unique hospitality offering, the values-based company extends exceptional hospitality and authentic cultural experiences, incorporating local traditions and customs into the guest experience at each of its properties worldwide. Guided by more than 68 years of family leadership, Outrigger runs a highly-successful, multi-branded portfolio of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger® Resorts, OHANA® Hotels and Resorts, Hawaii Vacation Condos by Outrigger®, Embassy Suites®, Holiday Inn®, Best Western®, Wyndham Vacation Ownership® and Hilton Grand Vacations™. Currently, Outrigger operates and/or has under development 40 properties with approximately 9,000 rooms located in Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island); Guam; Fiji; Thailand; Mauritius; Maldives; Vietnam; and Hainan Island, China. For online information, log on at www.outriggerenterprisesgroup.com and www.outrigger.com. Join Outrigger’s social network to Find Out. Find Outrigger! Follow @OutriggerResort on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OutriggerResorts. For on-going news, visit http://news.outrigger.com.