the community newspaper for east oahu since 1987

July Jazz Festival

Festival to highlight hottest jazz talents

by MICHELE VAN HESSEN
Sun Correspondent
*Archived July 2006 article

Hailed as a major festival by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the award-winning Hawaii International Jazz Festival (HIJF), under Abe Weinstein, Executive Director and Founder, is pleased to present, at the rRed Elephant Live showroom, "An Exclusive Evening with The Freddy Cole Quartet." This intimate evening, on Thursday, August 3rd, includes the award-winning Denver-based a cappella vocal ensemble, "Groove Society." This exclusive event is only available to those who purchased tickets for HIJF's shows on August 4th or 5th.

The 13th annual Hawaii International Jazz Festival, Swingtime Hana Hou, is being held at the historic Hawaii Theatre Center (HTC), on August 4th and 5th. Set against a historical context, HIJF offers free jazz clinics each day commencing at 10 AM. These music clinics will feature demonstrations of various jazz styles, celebrated musicians and open-forum discussions with attendees. Continuing on Friday, August 4th a gala evening is set in three acts. Beginning at 7 PM, a great synergy of Hawaiian "Mele no ka oi" and the indigenous sounds of Hawaii are set to a swing feel in a "kanikapila extravaganza." Performers include Jeff Peterson on slack key guitar, Abe Lagrimas on ukulele and vibes, Brittni Paiva on ukulele and slack key, Bruddah Smitty on slack key and vocals and Nathan Aweau on bass and vocals.

The vocal jazz sextet, "Groove Society," continues on August 4th, to fill the air with luscious a cappella vocal harmonies with renditions of favorite jazz standards. The evening's celebration will close with a tribute to Nat King Cole, featuring the "Freddy Cole Quartet." Brother of Nat, Freddy Cole is world renowned for his own great jazz stylings and comes to Hawaii to perform for the first time at this premiere engagement.

Saturday evening, August 5th, welcomes back the exciting Latin sounds of sax man Scott Martin, an accomplished saxophonist and woodwind player who has been a member of the Poncho Sanchez Latin Grammy Award winning jazz band for over eleven years. Martin is a varied musician who has also recorded and performed with artists such as Francisco Aguabella, The Righteous Brothers, Ray Charles, Celia Cruz, Pee Wee Ellis, Barry Manilow, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, and The Temptations. Martin has also been active playing on commercials, radio and TV. Martin will be accompanied by the 20-piece, world-class USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, directed by Shelly Berg. The "Freddy Cole Quartet" performance on August 5th will continue its tribute to the wonderful music of Nat King Cole. Saturday night's guest artists include Gabe Baltazar on sax, David Choy on sax, and DeShannon Higa on trumpet. "The Four Freshmen" close the Saturday night festivities by thrilling the audience with their classic repertoire. Hailed as the best vocal group of all time, "The Four Freshmen" are in their 58th year of performing throughout the world!

Memories from Jazz Festivals are often passionate recollections and honor many historic music eras. One might recall a historic festival from one's past. Abe Weinstein works with hundreds of talented people each year to produce one of the most notable musical events in Hawaii. Tickets for this year's HIJF's "Swingtime Hana Hou" may be purchased at the historical Hawaii Theater Center Box Office. Tickets for HIJF's August 3rd performance are $47.50. Tickets for August 4th and 5th are $25, $40 or $50 per day. There is a $5 discount for Hawaii Theatre Center members, seniors age 62 and over, military members, and students with ID. With the purchase of a 2-day pass, $5 is taken off any ticket price. However, there are no double discounts. Call the Hawaii Theatre Center box office at (808) 528-0506 or visit them online at www.hawaiitheatre.com 24 hours a day.