George Kuo, Martin Pahinui and Aaron Mahi September 4, 2008

George Kuo, Martin Pahinui and Aaron Mahi
Hawaiian slack key guitar and vocal melodies...
Thursday, September 4 8:00pm
$20.00 General Admission, $15.00 Students
Buy tickets at TicketWeb or by calling 415.383.9600

We are proud to present George Kuo (6 and 12 string slack key guitar), Martin Pahinui (6 string slack key guitar), and Aaron Mahi (bass guitar), who bring us the traditional folk art of Hawaiian slack key guitar and vocal melodies. They are known for their deep soulful delivery projected in a language and feeling that anyone can understand and appreciate. Their performance features the breathtaking intimacy of solo slack key guitar followed by a rousing trio jam session, trading spontaneous instrument solos and unique vocal harmonies, recreating the atmosphere of a Hawaiian backyard party. Each of them are highly accomplished and recognized Hawaiian musicians that have been performing together many years, for the pure enjoyment of perpetuating traditional music and reciprocating and embellishing each other's talents, to where these feelings become instilled in all audiences.

GEORGE KUO - Known for perpetuating traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar styling (kiho`alu), George started playing slack key in the 1970?s at garage jam-sessions, bars, concerts, and parties with friends and old-time slack key masters Raymond Kane, Sonny Chillingworth, Gabby Pahinui, Leland ?Atta? Isaacs, Leonard Kwan, Tommy Solomon, Uncle Fred Punahoa, and steel guitar master Barney Isaacs. George shares the feelings and enjoyment of a by-gone era in Hawaii that he was fortunate to have been a part of. George formed a group in 1980 named the Kipapa Rush Band, and later joined Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawaii in 1986, and currently performs steadily at the Waikiki Marriott Hotel and in concerts across the United States and Japan with Martin Pahinui, and Aaron Mahi. George has done several slack-key recordings, most recently on the Dancing Cat/Windham Hill records produced by George Winston.

MARTIN PAHINUI is known for his out-of-this-world singing and legendary family musical tradition. Martin?s incredible voice range from a low deep bass to a rich high and haunting falsetto is reminiscent of his legendary father, Gabby Pahinui. Martin grew up listening and watching his dad and other legendary performer friends gather at their home for rehearsals and memorable jam sessions that sometimes lasted for several days. Martin played on his father's recordings with his brothers Cyril, Bla, Philip, and master slack-key guitarists Leland Atta Isaacs and Sonny Chillingworth. Martin performed at nightclubs on Maui for many years before coming home and playing with the Peter Moon Band in the 1980?s and 1990?s. Currently Martin performs with George Kuo and Aaron Mahi at their regular engagements and concert tours. Martin has done many recordings with his family on Panini Records; The Peter Moon Band (Kanikapila Productions); a solo CD Martin Pahinui (Mountain Apple Productions); and with George Kuo, Dennis and David Kamakahi, on a CD titled Hui Aloha, and with George Kuo, Aaron Mahi, and Bobby Ingano on the CD, Ho`olohe (Dancing Cat/Windham Hill Records).

AARON MAHI is one of Hawaii's living legends in traditional Hawaiian music. He has a tremendous repertoire and knowledge of the hidden meanings of traditional Hawaiian songs, and combines traditional Hawaiian with formal music arranging, and has achieved the highest accolades in classical music circles. Upon graduating with distinction from the Hart School of Music, he performed as a bassist and later became the assistant conductor for the Honolulu Symphony, and currently, Aaron has been the conductor of the City and County of Honolulu's Royal Hawaiian Band since 1980. Aaron is also fluent in Hawaiian language and perpetuates many of the old ways that he spent time learning from his family and from many elder Hawaiians that were famous musicians, arrangers, and songwriters. Aaron is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, famous for its Hawaiian musical tradition and he learned and performed with his classmates, many who became prominent Hawaiian musicians. Aaron is Hawaii?s musical ambassador to the world as he performs with various Hawaiian shows and was the conductor for 24 years from 1981 - 2005 with the Royal Hawaiian Band all over the world. Aaron has recorded with and arranged recordings with many legendary Hawaiian artists.

Official Website: http://www.142throckmortontheatre.org