the community newspaper for east oahu since 1987

New Album Highlights Tavana's Unique Island Sound

by MICHELE VAN HESSEN
Sun Correspondent
Archived January 2008 article

Tavana McMoore was born with a predisposition for performance. As a small boy, he listened to records of his Tahitian grandfather who produced the largest Polynesian show in Waikiki; Tavana Polynesian Revue. The revue ran at the Queen's Surf nightclub, the Ala Moana Hotel's Hawaiian Hut showroom and eventually moved to the Banyan Court, alongside the beach of the famous Moana Hotel on Waikiki Beach. The show's musical director and young impresario was Tavana's father who scouted the islands and atolls for talent. This lead to him meeting a professional dancer, who later became his wife and Tavana's mother. Tavana was inspired by the beauty, drama, and power of the musical instruments he heard, especially the guitar. His brother would borrow guitars so that Tavana could play. Then, on his thirteeth birthday, his father gave him a guitar. "I still have that guitar," said Tavana while setting up for a solo performance. "I began playing every day," he continued.

While attending Henry J. Kaiser High School, Tavana took his guitar to school every day and continued to create blends of the Polynesian rhythms and Western melodies. He lobbied to no avail, to have guitar introduced in the applied music course. Undaunted, he pursued higher study of his passion. After high school, he decided to attend the Musicians Institute, in Hollywood, which offers a comprehensive, hands-on education in contemporary music performance, recording, guitar making, music business and film. Tavana studied guitar and musical engineering.

"When I returned home, I opened the popular Chili's Grill & Bar in Kahala," said Tavana. "At a company party, one of the managers gave me my first break by offering me a salary to play guitar; and I've been working as a musician ever since," said Tavana smiling. For the last seven years, Tavana has been playing "island rock," which he has redefined through playing over a thousand performances. You can see him alone onstage with his acoustic guitar and a mic stand at O'Toole's Irish Pub. He is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who blends rock, folk, blues, gospel, and reggae with his own unique musical sound.

The new self-released, self-produced CD by Tavana McMoore is titled Only for the Light Hearted. Influenced by English rock guitarist, Eric Clapton and the ignited blues sound of Stevie Ray Vaughan, McMoore has written all the songs and music on the CD. He recorded it here with some of the top studio musicians in town including Justin James on drums, John Hawes on bass and percussion, Lopaka Colon on percussion and guitarist Keith Batlin. The CD was mastered at Prairie Sun in the Bay Area.

All are invited to the CD's launch party on Saturday, January 12th at The Loft, 115 Hotel Street (www.loft808.com). There will be lots of food and four bands to celebrate Only for the Light Hearted, which will be available for sale. For tickets to the event call (808) 688-8813.

Returning to his musical heritage has him focused on putting together rock with a Polynesian sound by incorporating Tahitian drums and dancers. Tavana's music is at tavanamusic.com or at myspace.com/tavanamusic.
Tavana McMoore's
newly released CD,
"Only for the Light Hearted"