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©2000 by Ely Music/Pub |
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Steel Stars "On Call" In Hawai`iJust this past Spring, Hawaiian steel guitar was suddenly "on call" in Honolulu, from some new sources. The Doctor is in!
Honolulu Symphony guest conductor Doc Severinsen called on Alan Akaka for the Symphony's two-night subscription series performance of "Dancin' with Doc to the Big Bands". Alan on steel, Byron Yasui on `ukulele, and Lyle Ritz on guitar, played a medley of "Sweet Leilani", "Hawaiian War Chant" and "Aloha 'Oe" with the orchestra. Of the symphonic arrangements, Alan said "rich and exciting to play." The Blaisdell Concert Hall full-house applauded and cheered Doc and all of the performers with a number of curtain calls. EZ Music Workshop
Easy Music Store in Honolulu (Keeaumoku & Young) asked Greg Sardinha to present a steel guitar demonstration and workshop. Jerry Byrd showed up to respond to technical questions, and Bobby Ingano and Rick Rickard, who plays guitar with Greg's group "Po`okela" showed up to help with the music part. (Left to right) Bobby, Jerry, Greg and Rick. The evening workshop was well attended by both steel players and the curious. Steel Guitar at Bishop Museum. As Jerry Byrd said, on receiving an invitation to play this concert under the auspices of Bishop Museum's "Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program", "steel guitar has now ARRIVED." Jerry, Hiram Olsen and Gary Aiko played and sang for a solid, golden hour-and-a half in Bishop's "Hawaiian Hall", on Friday evening, May 23. (Pictured above) All were in top playing and vocal form, and enjoying the gig as much as the audience. It was a rare musical treat, without the distractions of chattering conversations and clinking glasses. Talk Story Demonstration
The event was followed on Saturday, with a two-hour "Talk Story and demonstration" workshop by Jerry Byrd and Alan Akaka. Pictured below: Alan answers a question for Wayne Shisheida. Other HSGA students of Jerry's listened and watched intently. The session ended with a steel duet by Alan and Jerry on "?" Plans are under discussion for more of these events in partnership with Bishop Museum in the future. As Alan commented, "after all, this spot is where Joseph Kekuku invented steel guitar, when it was Kamehameha School for Boys. There's some very special mana (spirit) here."  
HSGA * HAWAIIAN
STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION Homepage URL: www.hsga.org (hsga@lava.net) Last updated: 07/23/02 by Gerald Ross (gbross@umich.edu) |