This week Pakele Live! with Tony Solis features three of the acts that will perform at Saturday's 'Ukulele Picnic in Kaka’ako Park: Kiyoshi Kobayashi & the ‘Ukulele Orchestra of Japan, Iwao, and the Sekiguchi Band.
The ‘Ukulele Orchestra consists of 26 players led by Kiyoshi Kobayashi, who began studying classical guitar in 1968 at the age of 13. He went on to play (and teach) jazz guitar, toured Europe as part of the "Tokyo Hot Club Band," established an ‘ukulele band, and more. In addition to supervising the ‘Ukulele Orchestra of Japan, he now leads the ‘ukulele teachers at Kiwaya Ukulele School and writes ‘ukulele instructional books.
Singer-songwriter Iwao is widely considered to be one of the best ‘ukulele players in Japan. After his start playing guitar, he was introduced to the ‘ukulele and was inspired by Ohta-San (Herb Ohta, Sr.) With 8 - 9 albums to his credit, he frequently plays with recording artists who travel to Japan from Hawai’i, including Ohta-San, Herb Ohta, Jr. and Jake Shimabukuro.
Kazuyuki Sekiguchi is the bass player for the Japanese mega-group the Southern All Stars, who released their first album in 1978. The band is the Japanese equivalent of the Rolling Stones or U2, with Kazuyuki himself having the status of Mick Jagger or Bono. After meeting Ohta-San in 1991, Kazuyuki added ‘ukulele to his repertoire. His passion for the instrument and his desire to share it with others ultimately led to his creation of the ‘Ukulele Picnic in Japan ten years ago. (Japan’s picnic draws over 30,000 people annually.) Last year he partnered with sumotori Konishiki to bring the picnic to Hawai’i, as a means to provide a bridge between Japan and Hawaii.
Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! on Thursday, February 11, from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). Although admission is free, your purchase of two drinks or soft drinks will help ensure the continuation of the Pakele Live! concert series. All ages are welcome, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center.
(Good news! The Pakele Lounge is again serving food! You can purchase a number of items, from calamari rings to sweet chili soy beans, burgers to pizza, shrimp and veggie spring rolls, fruit or veggie platters, pizzas and more!)
You may also watch the show live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/
(You may email the show at pakele @ lava.net – mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!)
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Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, Iwao and Kiyoshi Kobayashi
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 12:55:28 AM
