This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis our guests are Ryan Keau and Kai Kalama - the Kalama Brothers.
Coming from a family filled with musicians and singers, it was only natural that Ryan and Kai develop a passion for music early in life. Their late father Ron Kalama, and Uncle Baldwin Nainoa Kalama, Jr. were the original Kalama Brothers, mother Jamie is a choir director, and other well-known family members include uncle and singer-actor Al Harrington (perhaps best known for his role as Ben Kokua in the original Hawai’i Five-0) and another uncle, the late, great Alfred Apaka, Jr., “the Golden Voice of Hawai’i.”
Although raised in California, Ryan and Kai maintained close ties with their Hawaiian heritage and culture while growing up, which included joining a hula halau when they were young and listening to their father and uncle perform at concerts, family functions and lu’au, where they were often asked to join in. Mother Jamie provided early vocal instruction, and the boys sang in choirs throughout their school years. They also formed their own rock band (Offwhite) when they were teenagers, one of three bands in which they’re still active today, the others being a soul group called Soul Rebel Alliance, and their Hawaiian music band - the Kalama Brothers.
American Idol fans may remember Kai, who was a finalist in the 2009 season (and one of only a few Native Hawaiians ever to reach the finals). He was also featured on the show in a video with his mother, who he was taking care of at the time due to an illness (from which she has since recovered).
Self-taught musicians, the brothers took a much keener interest in traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music at the time of their father’s passing, in part as a tribute to him. Their tight vocal harmonies have earned them a whole new set of fans, as lovers of Hawaiian music have embraced them wherever they perform. They’ve also earned the love and respect of a number of well-known Hawaiian musicians: they opened for Cecilio and Kapono in San Diego earlier this year, which earned them an invitation from Henry Kapono to perform here on O’ahu at the Rell Sunn Aloha Jam benefit concert; they will be performing by invitation from the man himself at Willie K’s O’ahu CD release party; they’ll perform with the Makaha Sons at their annual Christmas concert in So. California; and they’ll open for Nathan Aweau (formerly of HAPA) during his solo mainland tour in 2011.
Here in Hawai’i for only a few weeks, they’ve been taking the island by storm wherever they perform, so don’t miss this chance to see this talented young duo!
Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! on Thursday, December 2 from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). There is no cover charge or minimum, although your purchase of two drinks or soft drinks helps 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.
You may also watch the show live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/
(Please email the show at pakele @ lava.net and let us know you’re watching! Mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!)
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The Kalama Brothers on Pakele Live: don't miss it!
Posted - 11/30/2010 : 6:01:12 PM
