WHAT:
The Aloha Everywhere Concert Series continues at theDowney Theatre with The Dennis Kamakahi Music Festival, for anafternoon of Hawaiian music to honor the late great slack key master andHawai`i’s most prolific songwriter, Rev. Dennis Kamakahi, a three-time GrammyAward-winner and member of the 2009 Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. Rev. Dennis Kamakahi was considered one of the most prolific Hawaiiansongwriters of all time, with a mission to bring excellent music, cultivatecommunity, and a nurturer of the culture by spreading aloha everywhere.
Rev. Kamakahi’sproteges and contemporaries will join the stage for an afternoon celebrating hislifelong musical works. Special guests include Mike Kaawa, KawikaKahiapo, Patrick Landeza & Sons and Jon Yamasato. BrookMahealani Lee, former 1997 Miss Universe, will be the MC and hula dancerfor the evening.
“Iam honored to be a part of the festival,” exclaims producer and musician Patrick Landeza, who is not only the Executive Director of Hawaiian Island Creation(HIC) Lifestyle which presents the entire Aloha Everywhere Concert Series inDowney, California, but a protege of Rev. Kamakahi and an accomplished musicianin his own right. Landeza was born and raised on the mainland and is a two-timeNa Hoku Hanohano award winner which is the equivalent of a Grammy Award and isthe only mainland-based recipient of this prestigious award. He will featurehis band “Patrick Landeza & Sons” with Justin Firmeza onsteel guitar and PJ Landeza on bass.
JoiningLandeza will be Mike Kaawa, one of the keyfigures in modern Hawaiian music, and famous for his 12-string guitar stylings.Kaawa has been part of many landmark recordings over the years and is acomposer, arranger, singer, band leader, as well as a master instrumentalist.Like Rev. Kamakahi, Kaawa was recruited by Eddie Kamae to be a member as thefinal version of the legendary “Sons of Hawai`i.” Together, they had asuccessful band in the 90’s called Na Oiwi which included a young DavidKamakahi, Shawn Ishimoto and Jon Yamasato.
Jon Yamasato has been part of the Hawaii music industry for over half of hislife. He began his career as the lead singer for the award-winning trio PureHeart and has performed throughout Hawaii, the West Coast, Texas and Japan,with acts such as Herb Ohta Jr., Na Oiwi and guitarist/singer Justin Young. Yamasatohas accumulated five Na Hoku Hanohano awards and has recorded with many Na Hokuwinning bands. While in his 20’s, he became an apprentice to Rev. Kamakahi,explaining “Dennis was a big influence on my music and taught me so much.”
Kawika Kahiapo has been on the professional music scene for over 40 years,having been on over 120 recording projects, including six of his own. He is a multi–NaHoku Hanohano Award recipient, Slack Key Master, and known for his “voice ofvelvet.” He was also a featured artist on the Grammy-winning CD, “Masters ofHawaiian Slack Key.” “Dennis and I traveled and toured together on numerousoccasions, super excited to share his music with everyone,” shared Kahiapo. Kahiapo’spassion for music started as a young boy, when his earliest mentors includedhis own father, and “Pops” Gabby Pahinui. His passion for music is very muchintertwined in his life, as a day rarely goes by without him picking up hisguitar. Kahiapo stays committed to perpetuating Hawaiian music, the culture,and the art of ki ho’alu.
WHEN: Sunday, April 7, 2024; 3 p.m.
WHERE: Downey Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey, CA 90241
PARKING: FREE in the on-site parkinglot
TICKETS: $55-$65
HOW & MOREINFORMATION:
- https://www.downeytheatre.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/DowneyCivicTheatre; https://www.facebook.com/HICLifestyle;https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1932263/downey-theater/
- https://www.facebook.com/HICLifestyle
- www.patricklandezamusic.com
- Video Nani Ka’ala from Patrick Landeza & Sons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNhgsJwAX30&list=OLAK5uy_nbA1knZ54m4CVCGQnEH1sxSgURbmwSnF8
- Video Waimanalo from Kawika Kahiapo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwyHLhcagn8
- Video Crazy Without You from Jon Yamasato: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXUBa51PN0I
- Video Catchin’ A Wave Medley from Mike Kaawa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYLnDlAb8VY
- Video Pua Hone from Dennis Kamakahi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6lTuvkbzxY
