Music

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.”

Ekolu Brings it Home

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Ekolu’s keyboard player is Molokai’s own Tom Mamuad, born and raised in Ho`olehua. The Molokai Dispatch sat down to talk story with him about how he began playing and how it felt to perform for the home crowd.

Molokai Dispatch (MD): How did you get your musical start?
Tom Mamuad (TM): I learned to play keyboard by playing at King’s Chapel growing up. After I graduated from Molokai High in 2002, I moved to Maui and got my professional start playing in a phenomenal band called Nuffsedd. That was where I sunk my teeth into a lot of stuff like parties and bar gigs. I also got involved in music at King’s Cathedral on Maui. I try to keep myself as musically varied as possible – you never know what situation you’ll need to play in.

Ekolu Spreading Love

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Award-winning reggae band, Ekolu is letting the music flow with their latest album release, “Simply for Love.”  They will be at Molokai’s very own Paddler’s Inn for the album release party, this Saturday, April 2, hosted by HI Finest Productions. Local boy Paulele Alcon’s company will also be donating proceeds of the concert to the Molokai High School Athletics Department.

Ekolu’s front-man, Lukela Keala, spoke with the Dispatch about Ekolu’s inspirations, his personal experiences of growing up in Wailuku Valley in Maui, and what we can expect from his band this weekend.

Molokai Dispatch (MD): How do you think Ekolu’s style has evolved over the years?

Lukela Keala (LK): Just wanting to be a better musician. Doesn’t take much to motivate me.

I could never get away from it.

MD: You have played shows on the mainland, as well as Japan. How do those audiences differ from Hawaii’s audiences?
LK: People on the mainland and Japan are more emotional. I guess that’s because they don’t local music all the time. You can feel that they miss home a lot!

MD: What is the number one message you want to spread amongst your listeners?
LK: That’s simple - love.

MD: What do you listen to these days?
LK: All kinds of stuff – oldies, reggae, Hawaiian, Jazz, Light Rock, Opera (Andrea Bocelli’s my man) and just a mix of everything.

Thank you, Lord Jesus for everything. I am grateful for you. Much love to all of the Molokai people. Oh, and one more thing, pick up our new album, “Simply For Love.” I know you guys don’t have a Borders over there, so check it on our website: www.ekolumusic.com. Love you, Molokai folks!