ANUHEA
A Maui native, Anuhea is a self-taught guitarist and songwriter whose talents surfaced while boarding at Kamehameha Schools on O‘ahu. After attending film school in California, Anuhea realized music was her true calling. She returned to the islands and began performing at local coffee shops and clubs. Taking the initiative to market herself as well as acting as her own manager, booking agent, music producer and distributor, Anuhea’s skills improved with every gig and the ball of success started rolling. From a live taping, she created a 22-track demo CD, Rough Cuts, which she sold at gigs in Hawai‘i and through her MySpace page to fans across the globe.
Since the release of her self-titled debut album, Anuhea has sold tens of thousands of songs across the United States. A hit single, “Right Love, Wrong Time” is available on iTunes and she’s poised to begin a Summer of Love tour on the Mainland. She is arguably the most visible and commercially successful artist to emerge from Hawai‘i in a generation. Her ultimate validation came from music peers at the 2010 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards when Anuhea won awards for Most Promising Artist of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year.
With a delicate blend of fragility, strength and sass, Anuhea uses engaging lyrics with her acoustic soul-pop music. Her signature guitar rhythms and sultry vocals weave R&B, soul, reggae and jazz into a seductive pop sound with an independent attitude à la Gwen Stefani. Anuhea strives to be a part of a new generation of songwriters, melding the melodic traditions of her island upbringing with modern beats and influences. We warmly welcome her back to Maui for a one-show only performance.
KANEKOA
This six-piece jam band is a high energy, ‘ukulele-powered experience of sound and island culture from Maui’s northshore. Playing together since 1999, Kanekoa melds elements of Hawaiian, rock, roots reggae, folk, blues and improvisation into a truly one-of-a-kind sound.
Lead singer, principal lyricist and rhythm ‘ukulele player, Kaulana Kanekoa, provides the band’s thought-provoking melodies and lyrics, drawn from the Hawai‘i of old, influenced by the diversity of the larger world and confronting the struggles of today. On lead ‘ukulele and backing vocals is Vince Esquire, considered by many to be one of the next generation’s masters of the instrument. As an accomplished blues and soul guitarist, Vince has shared the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Greg Allman, Mick Fleetwood, Willie K and Los Lonely Boys, but on ‘ukulele he’s in a class all his own.
On fretless bass guitar at the crossroads of rhythm and harmony is Shawn Michael. A wizard at shaping low end roots grooves, thunderous rock backbones and subtle harmonics, Shawn is a key ingredient in Kanekoa’s ability to span musical genres. For its rhythmic foundations, Kanekoa features a drums and percussion section with the talents of Brett Kealoha Nelson (percussion/sounds), Clive Tucker (drum kit) and Travis Rice (drum kit/percussion). Because of the range of its drummers, Kanekoa’s rhythm can morph seamlessly from a rock and jam groove, across roots reggae and flow into Hawaiian, folk and blues vibes. Get ready to rock!
LECHE DE TIGRE
Leche De Tigre is an eight-piece Latin Gypsy Funk band formed in Kona in 2009. Playing original music based on rhythms and flavors from around the world, Leche de Tigre blends a unique mixture of acoustic guitars, bass, drums, cello, percussion and vocals into smoking hot dance music. The band’s sound, often laced with rock influences, relies on the percussive and melodic impact of acoustic guitars to engage the audience, bringing with it a wide appeal.
This year, Leche de Tigre released their debut record, Lactophilia. A wide range of musical styles is woven into the record, using Latin/Caribbean rhythms, Gypsy/Eastern European influences, tango, funk/rock, French ballad and Brazilian bossa nova, which all lend great color to their songs. The band members continue to hone their rockin’ Latin Gypsy sound, playing shows regularly at restaurants, clubs and private events as well as festival and outdoor concert venues. They’re performing for the first time on Maui … get up and dance!
ALIKA NAKO‘OKA
Hailing from a family of popular Hawaiian entertainers such as his father, Alika Sr. and his uncles, Jesse Nako‘oka and Willie “Smiley” Nako‘oka, Alika is a contemporary Hawaiian singer/songwriter with over 20 years of entertaining experience. He has had a string of best-selling albums, including a top hit, “54 Bridges to Hana Town.” Alika’s current album is entitled, Promise Me This …
Alika was born on Maui and raised on the songs of Cecilio & Kapono, The Brothers Cazimero, Kapena and, of course, his Uncle Jesse. He began singing at a young age, performing at various events with his family throughout the Hawaiian Islands and Pacific Northwest. As an adult, Alika performed at venues in Los Angeles, Seattle and Las Vegas. Today, you can find Alika at resort venues across the island, entertaining Maui’s visitors and spreading his gift of aloha.
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