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jmk
Lokahi
USA
115 Posts |
 Posted - 11/01/2009 : 7:27:38 PM
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To all those attending at Napili in 2008, I have just now learned Norton Buffalo has passed away. I am very sad about that. At least he didn't have too much time to suffer. 
http://www.blurt-online.com/news/view/2973
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Nahenahe |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2009 : 9:40:59 PM
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Jeri, thank you for posting this news. I, too, was very, very sad when I heard about Norton’s passing as I was checking his Website and the web yesterday to see how he was doing. The music world lost an incredible musician and friend of Hawaiian music. Norton toured with the Steve Miller Band for 30 years and also collaborated with the “who’s who” of the blues and rock world, including The Doobie Brothers and Bonnie Raitt. Not only was he a virtuoso on the harmonica, but he was also an excellent songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, and even an actor.
Like Jeri, I had the pleasure of meeting Norton and his lovely wife Lisa at George Kahumoku’s 2008 slack key/'ukulele workshop on Maui. Norton was a close friend of Uncle George’s, and I attended Norton’s beginner harmonica classes.
His awesome musicianship aside, what really impressed me about Norton was that he was very down to earth, had a wonderful sense of humor, and had a strong and positive life spirit. He was very generous, not the least bit arrogant, and full of aloha. Even though I arrived at the workshop a couple of days late, Norton enthusiastically welcomed me into his class and personally spent the first 20 minutes giving me a hands-on “crash course” on the basics of blowing and breathing for the harmonica.
His harmonica (actually harmonicas—he brought about 2 dozen of them) added a wonderful dimension to our nightly kanikapilas, and he blended right in with the Hawaiian songs that we played. At the Slack Key Masters concert, he joined Uncle George for his set, including a memorable rendition of “Hawaiian War Chant.” During the ensemble finale, Uncle Dennis Kamakahi threw Norton the last pa’ani on “Kokee,” and Norton took the solo to a place we never knew existed, while Uncle Dennis and the other musicians on the stage grinned from ear to ear. What an unforgettable experience!
At tonight’s Temple Bar open mic, I dedicated the song “Ahe Lau Makani,” written by Queen Lili’uokalani, to Norton’s memory. I thought playing a “wind” song would be appropriate since Norton was an amazing artist who created magnificent sounds by breathing and blowing air. The song title is loosely translated as “The breeze that wafts through the leaves.” The kaona is that the breeze is actually the breath of a loved one, carried by the wind. Interestingly, one of the audience members thought Norton may have actually played at the Temple Bar last year with Uncle George.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Norton’s wife Lisa and the rest of his family and friends. We lost a great one.
Aloha ‘oe,
Doug
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Edited by - PearlCityBoy on 11/01/2009 9:56:57 PM |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 04:44:44 AM
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| Sorry to hear the news. Thank you for posting. |
Andy |
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1154 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 06:12:38 AM
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Thanks for the heads up, Jeri.
I too am saddened at the loss of such a nice man and a great talent. Doug said it all. Sheila and I were also in Norton's harmonica workshops. We never got too proficient but we had a great time.
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Dusty |
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markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 11:50:17 AM
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| I was shocked and saddened to learn about Norton's passing. I meet him back stage before a concert he did in Watsonville, Ca in Sept of 08, with George and Keoki Kahumoku. I chatted with him a bit and came away impressed with how genuine and sincere the guy was. He had such a lightness of spirit about him. I offer my condolences to all his family and friends that loved him. |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and
haunts me sleeping and waking."
Mark Twain |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2174 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2009 : 05:38:08 AM
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| The only times I ever saw and heard him was on TV. He seemed to fit effortlessly into whatever genre at hand. Talent and aloha are always missed. |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2009 : 07:39:39 AM
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Here's a nice article on Norton from yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle. There will be a benefit concert to celebrate Norton's life on January 23, 2010 at the Fox Theater in Oakland. The performers will include the Steve Miller Band, Doobie Brothers, Huey Lewis, George Thorogood, Charlie Musselwhite, and Bonnie Raitt. He really was a musician's musician.
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Harmonica maestro Norton Buffalo dies at 58
Joel Selvin, Chronicle Senior Pop Music Correspondent
Monday, November 2, 2009
(11-01) 21:11 PST PARADISE (BUTTE COUNTY) -- Norton Buffalo, harmonica virtuoso, one-of-a-kind performer and consummate accompanist to the stars, died Friday night from cancer in Feather River Hospital, near his home in Paradise (Butte County). He was 58.
Mr. Buffalo, who appeared on more than 180 albums and spent 33 years as a member of the Steve Miller Band, was diagnosed with cancer in September. His life will be celebrated Jan. 23 at the Fox Theater in Oakland in a benefit concert starring the Steve Miller Band and the Doobie Brothers, with special guests Huey Lewis, George Thorogood, Charlie Musselwhite and Bonnie Raitt.
"He was the antithesis of East Coast cynical," said Raitt, who spent Sunday morning watching Buffalo videos on YouTube. "He was always in funny mode without being too gooey about it. He's been that guy all this time. In one guy, you got all the hope and optimism of the '70s."
Mr. Buffalo played on the Grammy-winning Doobie Brothers album "Minute by Minute," and the recent children's music CD by Kenny Loggins. With Bette Midler, he played in the band and acted in the film "The Rose." He collaborated on tours and a series of recordings for more than 20 years with blues guitarist Roy Rogers. One of their songs, "Ain't No Bread in the Breadbox," was a cornerstone in the '90s live repertoire of the Jerry Garcia Band.
"Norton Buffalo was a character and a half," Rogers said. "He had a sense of humor. He liked to have a good time, and the joy of his playing came out."
Miller said: "He was a complete original. He worked with all kinds of people. He did tons and tons of projects. Everybody who worked with him loved him, really enjoyed working with him."
Mr. Buffalo joined the Steve Miller Band in 1976 at the beginning of the "Fly Like an Eagle" tour and has remained a constant presence in Miller's music ever since. Miller invariably introduced Mr. Buffalo to concert audiences as "my partner in harmony."
"He had way more music in him than I could use," Miller said. "I just had more work for him than everybody else."
Mr. Buffalo's own recordings include his 1977 Capitol Records release, "Lovin' in the Valley of the Moon," an album that maintains a strong cult following, and a 2000 blues-based release, "King of the Highway." He recently released a joint CD with Hawaiian slack key guitarist George Kahumoku Jr. He was a virtuosic and technically accomplished chromatic harmonica player who could play anything - blues, rock, pop, country, folk, show tunes.
Born in Oakland and raised in Richmond, Mr. Buffalo was raised in a musical family. His father played harmonica, and his mother sang in '40s San Francisco nightclubs. His great-uncle, Herbert Stothart, was a Hollywood soundtrack composer who won an Academy Award for his work on "The Wizard of Oz."
"His harp could become the valley of the moon, Krakatoa, a storm out at sea, then the sweetest sound this side of heaven," said Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, who played with Mr. Buffalo in a project called High Noon in the '70s and '80s.
Mr. Buffalo joined one of the final editions of Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen on a 1976 European tour, before returning to the Bay Area and forming the Norton Buffalo Stampede, a band that headlined Bay Area clubs for several years. In between tours with Miller and Rogers, Mr. Buffalo had been appearing recently with the Norton Buffalo Trio with his third wife, Lisa Flores.
He is survived by his wife; children, Aisah of Lake Tahoe and Elias of Sonoma; stepchildren, Sierra Ruelas of Sonoma and Bo Winterburn of San Diego; father, Ken Jackson of Paradise; and five brothers and sisters.
Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings, Tom Rigney and Flambeau and the Carlos Reyes Band will appear Nov. 22 in a benefit and memorial at the Paradise Performing Arts Center in Paradise. Funeral and other memorial plans are pending.
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Also, here's a link to Norton's website on his collaboration with Uncle George (there's a nice photo of them; text is below): http://norton-buffalo.com/nortonandgeorge.html .
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Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Master George Kahumoku teams up with Harmonica Virtuoso Norton Buffalo.
The unique tunings, techniques and sweet melodies of Ki ho’alu (Hawaiian slack key guitar), were created by the Hawaiian cowboys of the 1800's to carry on the oral traditions of sharing stories of passion and the history of their homeland. A long lineage of family history and being the fourth generation to continue sharing his heritage through music, George Kahumoku uses his melodic style and compositions to reflect his love and respect for nature and the people around us. With over 30 CDs in circulation, George Kahumoku Jr. is one of the most recognizable names in Hawaiian music and connects with world-wide audiences touring the country and hosting his weekly Hawaiian Music Showcase at the exclusive Napili Kai Resort on Maui. He has been honored to perform for Queen Elizabeth at Carnegie Hall, Wolftrap, and has traveled the world sharing his stories with many. A masterful storyteller, captivation entertainer, and accomplished composer, instructor, and three time GRAMMY award winner, George has rightfully come to be known as "The Ambassador of Aloha". For more information, visit George Kahumoku
Norton connected with George in Hawaii back in the early 90s during a benefit performance on the Big Island with Jesse Colin Young. George and Norton struck a great friendship and soon after did some recording together for one of George's Dancing Cat CDs.
In 2007 these two friends decided to do some shows together. Inspired by the magic they created together, they went in the studio and recorded a pile of songs. Combining George's original writings, some of his favorite Hawaiian classics and Norton's originals, these sessions have turned into an amazing collection of Hawaiian Aloha music. Since then they have begun doing more performances together and the fans love the blend of George's Slack Key Guitar and Norton's Harmonica as well as the blending of their voices in sweet harmony. There is a special magic that comes forth when these two play together that is rare and very special. Norton has found a way to slip his harmonica beautifully into the Hawaiian sound and it is wonderful to hear and feel the aloha glowing when they are performing together.
In 2008, Norton taught harmonica as well as a songwriting and improvisation class at George's Slack Key and Ukelele workshop in Maui.
in the Fall of 2008 the CD "The Spirit Of Slack Key Guitar" opened up with a live duet performance of Norton ad George on the classic "Hawaiian War Chant". This CD was later nominated for a Grammy. Although this CD did not win the Grammy this year, Their lively performance on this collection gave fans a taste of the musical joy these two create together.
Buffalo returned to Hawaii in early 2009, where he and George recorded a few more tracks for this project. Norton is now in the studio trying to wrap it all up, hoping for a release later this year. Keep your eyes and ears open for upcoming performances by this wonderful duet as well as their upcoming CD release.
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2009 : 08:08:35 AM
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Tickets for the "A Celebration of a Life: Tribute to Norton Buffalo" benefit concerts at Oakland's Fox Theater went on sale yesterday, Nov. 15. The concerts are on Friday, Jan. 22 (this date was just added) and Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C00436AD928631D .
100% of net proceeds benefit the Buffalo Family. Contribution is non-deductible.
Performers Subject to Change:
Steve Miller Band, Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, George Thorogood, Roy Rogers, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, The Knockouts and M.C. Wavy Gravy
This should be an awesome concert/celebration, and the lineup of big name artists continues to grow. A couple of us Taropatchers are going to the Friday performance.
Aloha,
Doug |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2009 : 8:02:11 PM
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Holy Cow, that Ticketmaster site is brutal. Talk about being rushed, God forbid you forget your password. And I don't think the site is very user friendly, either pay up or get the heck off!
Did manage to get 4 tickets. But what is this bit about standing room only on the bottom floor, are people expected to stand for a 3-4 hour concert? I must be getting too old for these places!
Anyway, hope to see you, Doug!
Julie |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2009 : 08:50:02 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Julie H
But what is this bit about standing room only on the bottom floor, are people expected to stand for a 3-4 hour concert? I must be getting too old for these places!
You don't have to stand Julie! For only $450 per person you can sit in the Loge, or for only $225 per person you can sit in the mezzanine, or you can bring your binoculars and crane your neck way up in the back of the balcony for only $85 or so!! - 
And , of course you can wait till the concert is much closer and pay the scalpers even more.
Don't know we are going or not (yet).
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2009 : 09:04:17 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Julie H
Holy Cow, that Ticketmaster site is brutal. Talk about being rushed, God forbid you forget your password. And I don't think the site is very user friendly, either pay up or get the heck off!
And you have to pay a "convenience charge" for that!  |
Andy |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2010 : 11:57:13 AM
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Wow, how time flies. The first of the two Norton Buffalo tribute concerts in Oakland is tomorrow, Jan. 22 (I'll be tagging along with Bruddah Ray and his 'ohana for that concert). Apparently both concerts are sold out. Great to know that all proceeds will go directly to Norton's family to help pay for the medical costs.
Any other Taropatchers besides Julie and Larry going?
Aloha,
Doug
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Here is a nice article in the Mercury News today, http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_14223991 . Text is below:
A tribute to Norton Buffalo
By Jim Harrington
Posted: 01/21/2010 12:00:00 AM PST
Steve Miller knew Norton Buffalo was special from the first time they shared the stage together.
It was in 1975, not long after Miller finished recording "Fly Like an Eagle," the multiplatinum smash that would make the Bay Area singer one of the biggest stars in the rock universe. The setting was a jam session in San Rafael, where Miller joined Buffalo for a few numbers. The chemistry, Miller recalls, was so immediate and undeniable that Buffalo soon became a vital part of the Steve Miller Band and remained so for the rest of his life.
"I just thought he was magnificent," Miller said during a phone interview from his Idaho home. "He just became my partner in harmony. I don't know how many gigs we did, 4,000, 5,000, just a huge number of performances, and he never once held back. I think he was that way with everyone he worked with."
It was that giving nature, more than all the gold-and-platinum records that he appeared on, that made Buffalo such an important part of the Northern California music scene for 40 years, and a key reason why he'll be so dearly missed.
Buffalo, who was born in Oakland and raised in Richmond, died Oct. 30, less than two months after being diagnosed with brain and lung cancer. His death, at age 58, was a devastating blow to a Bay Area music community that treasured Buffalo's tireless involvement.
To show their respect, love and admiration, many of Buffalo's most-notable collaborators — including Miller, the Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis and Roy Rogers — will join for "Norton Buffalo Tribute" concerts Friday and Saturday at the Fox Theater in Oakland. Proceeds will help cover the medical costs and other expenses Buffalo's family incurred during the musician's illness. (Both nights are sold out, but contributions are still welcome at www.norton-buffalo.com.)
Most expect the tribute concerts to be emotional affairs, as friends, fans and family members continue coming to terms with Buffalo's death.
"I don't think people have begun to realize that Norton is not here," Miller says.
Buffalo was never a huge star. Instead, he'll be remembered as the sideman who made other musicians sound better. He was also known as a player who could handle just about any style of music, from blues and rock to country and even Hawaiian.
"You wanted Norton Buffalo on your record," says Bay Area slide guitarist Roy Rogers, one of Buffalo's most frequent collaborators. "Norton was really the quintessential guy to call upon."
And many did — it's estimated that Buffalo played on more than 180 albums. His more notable recordings include the Doobies' Grammy-winning 1978 album "Minute by Minute," Miller's multiplatinum 1977 work "Book of Dreams" and Bonnie Raitt's 1977 Top 40 outing "Sweet Forgiveness." He also was a sideman on scores of records that never hit the charts.
"He would take on your project with all the same enthusiasm that you had," Miller says. "With some session guys, you know, each lick was so much money. It never felt that way with Norton. With anybody he ever worked with, he gave you 110 percent of what he had. He was just a joy to work with, and he delivered like very few people do."
Born into a musical family — his father was also a harmonica player and his mother sang in nightclubs — Buffalo was nothing short of a virtuoso on his instrument. After graduating from Kennedy High School in Richmond in 1969, he sharpened his craft by playing alongside blues hero Elvin Bishop and in the bands Clover and the Moonlighters in the '70s, before coming to Miller's attention.
"He was a phenomenal harmonica player," Miller says. "He was a great soloist — compared to guitar players or horn players or anything, he was absolutely one of the best in the world at what he did."
Miller thought so highly of his sideman that he persuaded his label, Capitol Records, to sign Buffalo to a recording contract. That resulted in two well-regarded records — 1977's "Lovin' in the Valley of the Moon" and 1978's "Desert Horizon" — but not in superstardom.
He continued releasing his own records on smaller labels (such as San Francisco's blues-centric Blind Pig) throughout his career. Some came as the leader of his own band, the Knockouts, while others were tandem productions with Rogers. Of the latter, the duo's 1991 debut, "R&B," would produce the Grammy-nominated country instrumental tune "Song for Jessica."
For all his time spent in the studio, Buffalo did some of his best work in concert. Whether he was sharing an amphitheater stage with Miller or fronting his own ensemble at a small nightclub, the harmonicat — who was also an accomplished vocalist — certainly knew how to work the crowd.
"Onstage, he was magic," says Buffalo's widow, Lisa Flores-Buffalo. "He always brought a magic and an energy level that was incomparable."
Lisa Flores was living in Washington when she first laid eyes on her future husband, who was performing at a blues festival. She met him later that night and the spark — as seemingly was the case in all first encounters with the man — was immediate.
"It was love at first sight, and we never looked back," she says. "I just fell in love with his spirit. He was just such a beautiful and vibrant soul."
The couple lived much of the time in the town of Paradise in Butte County where Buffalo was an active part of the Paradise community, lending his support and talent to various projects. It was the same story in Sonoma and throughout the Bay Area.
"Norton did so much community service," Miller says. "He did so many benefits for so many people. If everybody raised his hand that he did a benefit for, it would be in the thousands."
"I think as time goes on, his reputation and his legacy will become bigger and bigger," Miller says. "There are just some people who pass through the world that are unique and special and defy description. Norton was one of those people."
Read Jim Harrington's concert blog at http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/category/concerts.
A Tribute to Norton Buffalo
With: Steve Miller Band, Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Roy Rogers and others
When: 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Where: Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Tickets: Seats for the benefit are listed as sold out, although it might be worth checking www.apeconcerts.com for updates.
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Norton Buffalo, RIP
