Music

Eddie Tanaka

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

With a crooning voice and a guitar under his arm, local musician Eddie Tanaka has become an island crowd favorite. Whether you’ve heard him at Hotel Molokai accompanied by local fellow musicians or playing at the Maui Arts Center before hundreds, Tanaka’s songs of Molokai’s cowboys, the island’s splendor and laid-back lifestyle resonate with each listener. This week the Dispatch caught up with Eddie Tanaka on the brink of his first CD release, Mystical Molokai, for a Q & A session.

The Molokai Dispatch (TMD): How did you get started playing?
Eddie Tanaka (ET): I have been playing for 30 years, I guess. It was a family thing and involvement with church got me started playing.

TMD: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
ET: I am inspired by a widespread group of people – musicians I played with in the past, kupuna of the past. I’m continuously writing in the present and projecting the future. My wife also inspires me by encouraging me to continue writing my own music.

TMD: What are three words to describe your music?
ET: Magical, mystical, Molokai.

TMD: What has been the most memorable experience in music career?
ET: Definitely the first time I played on a big stage. I played the Maui Arts Center on their 30-foot stage and my ukulele player sat 20 feet away from me! It was exciting to make the move from a small stage to sitting in front of a crowd of 1,000 people. It was a good change of pace. Also playing a short tour with Rick Schonely on the West Coast with legends Makaha Sons and Willy K.

TMD: You are coming out with a new CD – what went into the recording process?
ET: This is my first album and it was like going to school all over again. A lot of learning went into the process to understand the inside the music, not just the surface level. Like school, it was very time consuming but a great adventure and important moment for me.

TMD: How did the album come about?
ET: Three years ago my good friend Martin Vandercamp introduced me to Barry Sanders and the opportunity came when Barry invited me to record with him even before he had heard my music. All production and recording was done at Mana`o Radio on Maui with Don Lopez, the album producer, and Sander’s wife Kathy Collins, executive coordinator of

Mana`o Radio.

TMD: Who makes the lineup on your most played playlist?
ET: There is so much widespread music. I like John Mayer, the old funky stuff, Bob Marley, Average White Band, old Motown, the like.

TMD: What’s something people of the Molokai may not know about you?
ET: I grew up windward side Oahu and came over on a fishing trip. I moved here in 1979 and never moved back. I give a big thanks to the island and people that encourage me and support me through this process. It is a right and a privilege to put this album together.

TMD: What is on the horizon of your musical journey?
ET:  Music will take me many places. There are a few options coming in the near future but I am not sure which way I will go. I will go with the wind and let the music determine my path.

TMD: Where can we find your music?
ET: Check iTunes in a week or so and the physical album will be out in the next three weeks. I will also get the Facebook and a website going with more information.

MoBettah the Band

Sunday, June 19th, 2011

Known for their animated performances and versatile set lists, MoBettah the Band has been a Molokai entertainment favorite for years, giving everyone something to look forward to during their shows. As the first in a series of Q & A’s with Molokai’s many bands, the Dispatch sat down with band members Tania Manaba-Will, Lyndon Dela Cruz and Earl Gorton to get the scoops on MoBettah the Band. 

MD: Where does the band name come from?
MB: We were all sitting around talking story and after each idea dropped everyone would say “mobettah da kine, mobettah ummm, mobettah hou…” Lyndon was then like, let’s just go with MoBettah, the Band.

MD: How many times have you played “Mustang Sally”?
MB: Hundreds! It’s been a favorite since the days of the Pau Hana Inn. It was their last song played so since it is so loved by the community, we figured we have to play it! Tania: And I love it because I get to play the timbales.

Mobettah the Band includes Lyndon Dela Cruz (lead vocals, ukulele, timbales), Tania Manaba-Will (lead vocals, ukulele, timbales, tambourine), Danny Reyes (bass), Ekolu Kalama (acoustic guitar), Rick Schonely (guitar) and Earl Gorton (drums).

Gig in the Garden

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Haunting melodies of a single wooden flute drift into the indigo dusk, its song joined by a waterfall of piano notes. It was the first “concert in the garden” held at the newly-revitalized Mahana Nursery last Thursday night, featuring two world-renowned musicians.

“Their music… takes me into my heart,” said Teri Waros, organizer of the concert.

Pianist Peter Kater is a six-time Grammy Award nominee who’s composed music for over 100 TV shows and films and is also a recipient of the United Nations Environmental Leadership Award. He was joined by one of the world’s top Native American flutists, R. Carolos Nakai, who has collaborated with dozens of recording artists, including Keola Beamer. Together, they touched their Molokai listeners with their powerful music.

Waros first met Kater over 20 years ago, when he played at her mainland jazz club.

“He played piano like no one I had ever heard before,” she said. “I carried their music around the world with me – no, actually, it carried me,” she said of Kater’s albums.

The stunning outdoor venue at Mahana Nursery, recently restored by Nan Omstead and Dusty Dancy, drew a crowd of eager listeners. Many came before the concert started to enjoy ono pupus provided by Mahana.

“It’s a real treat to play outside with nature,” said Kater, who was visiting Molokai for the first time. He described the island as “the most unique, energetic place I’ve ever been to.”

The recital, part of a Hawaii tour with the mission to “awaken kindness,” featured music improvised on the spot by the duo.

“This is a unique concert – just for you,” Nakai told the audience.

With Kater on keyboard and Nakai using a variety of wooden flutes, a golden eagle bone and chillingly beautiful vocal additions, Native American melodies melded seamlessly with nature-inspired piano harmonies.

The concert was originally schedule to be a collaboration between Kater and Tibetan flutist Nawang Khechog. Nakai stepped in when Khechog unexpectedly had to undergo surgery for a blood clot in his brain last week.

‘Mythical’ Music

Monday, May 9th, 2011

A Tibetan flutist and Grammy Award-nominated pianist have come together to provide Molokai with an evening of unique music, chanting and prayer – Awakening Kindness for Mother Earth – on May 12.

Peter Kater, six-time Grammy Award-nominated pianist and composer, and Nawang Khechog, flutist, author and former student of the Dalai Lama, have been friends and music collaborators for almost 20 years.

“All our concerts are improvisational around various structures, key changes, chord changes and spiritual concepts,” Kater said via email.

Kater and Khechog’s concert will be held at Mahana Gardens, 10 miles west of town, and hosted by Kalele Bookstore and Divine Expressions. Kater said he met Kalele’s owner, Teri Waros, in California while he was on tour. Kater moved to Maui a few years ago, where Waros found him again and asked him to play on Molokai.

“We're so much looking forward to coming to experiencing the land and people of Molokai,” Kater said. “It's almost mythical in its beauty and energy.”