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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
 Posted - 03/14/2007 : 11:10:00 AM
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Paul gets the newsletter from EKK. Carol Yotsuda writes beautifully, and is so kind to share the great experiences at EKK. Here is the Garaden Island Arts Council web site:
www.gardenislandarts.org
Here is the latest:
EKK Hana Hou for the Kamakahi Duo - papa Dennis and son David
Last year the EKK regular participants were polled as to their
favorite "instructors" to invite back to EKK and without question
Dennis and David Kamakahi were very high choices.
Just what makes these two consummate musicians so popular with our EKK
participants?
Dennis is a master at Kiho'alu, recognized for his lifelong
contribution to Kiho'alu at the Na Hoku Hano Hano awards the same year
that David received the Na Hoku Hanohano award for Best Contemporary
Hawaiian album.
Last year Dennis was also recognized for his lifetime achievement in
the performing arts by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, a
most coveted award for any artist.
Dennis brings the same dedication that earned him these awards to our
small grassroots program as he does when performing at the Lincoln
Center, and each year shares new songs and insights into Hawaiian music.
This year he shared two songs that he composed -- “Ke Alo O Iesu”
and “Tutu”. Often in the past he shared old songs by composers who
have passed on that he really liked, songs that he felt we may never
get a chance to learn. No matter what he chooses to teach, his
stories behind the songs are rich with experiences and stories about
individuals connected with the songs who impacted his life in some
way. His compositions are always unique and memorable - songs that are
embraced by other musicians, by hula dancers and by those who love
Hawaiian music.
Many of the over 600 songs that he has composed are already classics
and can be heard anywhere in Hawaii and in many places on the mainland
where Hawaiian music appreciators gather.
Son David, a rookie by comparison in years, truly holds his own as he
brandishes his ukulele with a passion and skill that comes from his
love of music, the mentoring of his Dad and mentors such as Eddie
Kamae, and his dedication to developing his skills as an ukulele
player. There is definitely something to be said about the way the
voices blend when family members harmonize on the vocals.
For the first hour, the guitar players were pleased as punch to be
sitting in their own little circle with Dennis outside on the lawn
with the cool breeze. How very cool is it to be able to get a small-
group session with one of Hawaii's musical greats?
The ukulele players sat in a circle around David, but of course the
circle became so huge that it was problematic in such a tight space.
But as the hour progressed, one could hear that the ukulele players
began to play in unison whereas when they first started out, there was
a lot of plunking and stray strumming.
Dennis shared a song about Jenny Makanui Foster Kamakahi, his great
grandmother kahuna lapa’au, from the remote Halawa on the easternmost
end of Molokai. His stories about her and her childhood in the 1900’s
were filled with respect and endearment for her significant impact on
his life. He pointed out that grandparents have an extra sense and
could read your mind before you knew something was wrong yourself.
Dennis also shared something he learned from one of his mentors, Mary
Kawena Pukui – “Make sure the mountain is on your right side when you
are seeking knowledge; and when you are just playing, the mountain
should be on your left side”…(pause)…”if there are no mountains
around, you’re in trouble!” joked Dennis.
“Ke Alo O Iesu” (In the presense of Jesus), is a hymn written by
Dennis as a ho’okupu to Ke Akua when he was ordained.
Bruddah Iz called him and asked him if he could record this song; it
is a haunting rendition recorded by Iz on his last CD. Iz requested
that two songs be sung at his wake – “Ke Alo O Iesu” and “Ua Mau”
(which was taught to us last week by Walter Keale). Dennis, David,
Mike Kaawa and Moe Keale were the last to play for Izrael at the
family wake.
This song was also recently recorded by Dennis’s good friend and
> student Gary Haleamau on his soon to be released CD “New Hawaiian
> Hymns”. Gary presently lives in Las Vegas as a minister. He said
that sometimes someone can sing a song better than he can so he
allowed Gary to record it.
Dennis chose to write it in this early Gospel style. He noticed in
his travels across the United States that the congregation got so
riled up while singing gospels, and he figured that a catchy rhythm
keeps the congregation awake and prepped for the two hour sermon. He
recalled his young days when he had to spend nearly 12 hours in church
every Sunday, but he decided later in life that God did not need that
many hours so he streamlined it to two hours in church.
By the third time we sang the song, the voices were rich and confident
with the melody and the phrasing so Dennis kept complimenting the
participants on their singing.
David’s turn: David said you could always tell when Dad was picking
him up at school in his Toyota van because he had Metallica blasting
on his car radio; “It helps me get through Honolulu traffic” offered
Dennis. By the time David graduated from high school, he knew all the
Metallica songs.
He performs every Wednesday and Friday at the Hilton and his Dad tells
him which songs he likes, so he tells his Mom, “Get Dad another
round.”
Now that David has moved out of his parent’s home, he misses having
his mentor right in the next room to answer any musical questions that
he had but they still travel and perform together extensively.
David's shared two of his favorite songs – “Love will Keep Us Alive”
and “Sweet and Slow”.
David’s shared about his surprise birthday parties which always ends
up not being a surprise because someone always slips up. Often his
Dad is sitting quietly in the back of the room. After an hour and a
couple of beers, he slowly moves halfway up to the middle of the
room, and gradually he moves his chair up to the front of the room.
(laugh) “You can tell when he’s had enough beers because he starts to
flip through the karaoke book.” (more laugh) “That’s because I don’t
know the songs these kids sing,” says Dennis. “Karaoke machines are a
great invention because it makes everyone sound good.”
Between the father and son bantering, we all managed to sing both
upbeat songs; our own Jerry Brocklehurst could not resist jumping on
the piano and accompanying the lively songs...such talent abound in
our midst.
Of course, the evening is never complete without a mini-concert of
their favorite songs – “E Ulili’e” (in the new Starbucks compilation),
“Kaualoku” (by Alfred Alohikea), “Far Away” (a ballad written while on
tour in San Jose, because he was missing his wife and his truck…in
that order), “Wahine Ilikea” (with the beautiful Po’ai Galindo moving
like the white mist of Molokai) “Koke’e” a song that Dennis composed
on his first experience with the illusive mist of Kalalau, a place he
calls heaven.
Mainlanders can catch Dennis and David at “Freight and Salvage” in
Berkeley in July, and at the Grass Valley Music Festival on July 12,
13, 14. Both will travel with George and Keoki Kahumoku on a
“Generations Tour”. Go to www.denniskamakahiproductions.com for
complete tour schedule.
Too soon, the evening comes to an end, but everyone feels gifted by
the music and the experience.
Monday, March 12, EKK will host two Kauai-based musicians. Mike Young
has recently released his new CD and will share some of the songs for
everyone to learn and will also perform other songs. Kekai “Chockie”
Chock, a frequent participant at EKK and one who has played with other
musicians on all the islands in Hawaii over the years, will be sharing
some of his favorite songs and he's warned me that he is “cutting
loose”...the way he plays that guitar, that should be something to
experience.
A heads up for the week coming up, March 18 and 19. Jeff Peterson has
been moved up to the March 19 Monday night EKK and will also be
performing in a double headliner concert with the Descendance
Aborigine Dance Troupe from Australia on Sunday, March 18 at the Kauai
Community College Performing Arts Center.
Tickets should be picked up EARLY, EARLY, EARLY at the ticket outlets
so I won't have to field so many frantic last minute phone calls.
Tickets will be picked up on Saturday, March 17 from Magic Dragon and
Toys, Bounty Music, Hawaiian Music Huts in Princeville and Coconut
Plantation, Kauai Discount Activities in the Aloha Center, Island Soap
and Candle in Koloa, Scotty's Music in Kalaheo, and by emailing
<giac @ hawaiilink.net> for “will call” tickets.
A free performance of Descendance for school groups will be held on
Monday morning, March 19. A few spaces are still available for school
groups.
Contact Carol Yotsuda via email at giac @ hawaiilink.net.
Carol Kouchi Yotsuda, E Kanikapila Kakou 2007
<www.gardenislandarts.org> (photos of evening) Celebrating 30 years
of "bringing ARTS to the people and people to the ARTS
E Kanikapila Kakou Hawaiian Music Program is funded in part by the
Hawai'i Tourism Authority, the County of Kaua'i Office of Economic
Development, and Garden Island Arts Council supporters. Space
generously provided by Island School.
Garden Island Arts Council programs are supported in part by the State
Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the
Legislature of the State of Hawai'i and grants from the National
Endowment for the Arts.
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Auntie Maria
Ha`aha`a
USA
1918 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 9:20:48 PM
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We are sooooooooo lucky to have Carol Yotsuda on Kaua`i -- not only for her tireless efforts to produce the annual EKK events (every Monday night, from February through April...now in its 24th year), but for all that she does to celebrate the arts on this island, and throughout Hawai`i.
From the Garden Island Arts website:
CAROL K. YOTSUDA: A charter member of the GIAC and its first president, Carol has been an active volunteer in the arts for three-plus decades, bringing enrichment to the lives of the people of Kaua'i. She started the E Kanikapila Kakou program, the Kaua'i Crafts Studio, Van Go! and has served as Director of the Kaua'i Academy of Creative Arts. She has an MFA from the University of Hawai'i and is a practicing artist and a retired art teacher. Presently, she serves as Executive Director/President of the GIAC.
Carol was named one of Hawaii's Living Treasures in 2005. Read more in this news article (scroll to bottom of page):
http://starbulletin.com/2005/12/25/news/story05.html
Anyone can ask to be added to her wonderful email list -- you'll get her EKK reviews, plus her from-the-scene blogs (concerts, art events, whatevahs), and news of art events on Kaua`i. Just send an email request to giac @ hawaiilink.net |
Auntie Maria
===================
My "Aloha Kaua`i" radio show streams FREE online every Thu & Fri 7-9am (HST)
www.kkcr.org - Kaua`i Community Radio
"Like" Aloha Kauai on Facebook, for playlists and news/info about island music and musicians!
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2007 : 3:35:56 PM
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| What I like best is, Carol's newsletters are like a letter from a close friend. I've never had the pleasure of meeting her, or attending E Kanlkapila Kakou, but I hope to next time we get to Kaua'i. She puts her enthusiasm for the musicians and artists she writes about into her posts. I'ts pleasant to "hear" that in the written word. Makes me wish we were there. Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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hawaiianmusiclover06
`Olu`olu
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2007 : 5:33:29 PM
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| Mahalo nui loa for sharing the newsletter. I loved reading it. Especially, the part about Uncle Dennis and David Kamakahi. I have to agree with you that Uncle Dennis is a superb Ki ho'alu player even though I haven't seen Uncle Dennis perform in person live yet. |
Aloha Kakou, maluhia a me aloha mau loa (Hello everyone, peace and love forever) |
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alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2007 : 1:15:51 PM
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| I enjoyed reading it myself. If I ever go to Kaua'i, I may have to stop by and check it out. |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
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