Jazz

The award-winning American Jazz pianist Robert Glasper will be performing at the Blue Note Hawaiʻi on Aug. 9. Glasper joins one of his biggest fans, Sharene Taba, on Classical Pacific to talk about music genres, food in Hawaiʻi, and advice for young artists.

Composer, pianist, educator, and writer Gary Fukushima joins Hawaiʻi musicians Dean Taba (bass), Noel Okimoto (drums), and vocalist Rachel Gonzales for a concert this week at the Musicians' Association of Hawaiʻi. He stops by Classical Pacific to chat about writing for DownBeat magazine, teaching at CSU Northridge, and spending time with his Hawaiʻi family.

Guitarist Broderick Nakasone graduated from ʻIolani School this past Spring, and will be attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Nakasone encourages music students to play the music they love. Hear Nakasone at Noel Okimotoʻs Ohana Jazz on July 31. @ohanajazzhawaii

Recent University Laboratory School graduate Eli Wolf will spend his summer playing guitar before heading to Reed College this fall. He credits his dedicated teachers, friends and his mother for their support. Catch Wolfe live this summer at ʻŌhana Jazz and the Pacific Music Institute.

Known for his extraordinary trumpet playing, his 10–12 piece Subtonic Orchestra, the jazz quartet Quadpod and his arrangements with the Royal Hawaiian Band, DeShannon Higa spoke with Classical Pacific host Sharene Taba about his work around town and his 30-year music career.

During Spring Break, the award-winning Honokaʻa Jazz Band performed at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea before heading to Oʻahu. Band director Gary Washburn and his students join Classical Pacific host Sharene Taba for a closer look at the dedicated musicians behind this Grammy Signature School program.

Noel Okimoto brings his quintet to Live from the Atherton's Jazz Performance Series on June 14, performing music from his album "Hōʻihi." He'll be joined by longtime collaborators and friends Gustavo DʻAmico, Tommy James, Abe Lagrimas, Jr. and Dean Taba.

Celebrate arts at our public schools! March is the Hawaiʻi Department of Education’s inaugural Fine Arts in our Schools Month. Classical Pacific host Sharene Taba visits ʻEwa Makai Middle School’s Tiger Jazz Band, led by Ms. Leah VanDoran.

21 years since releasing his award winning album "Ohana," Noel Okimoto talks about his childhood as a professional drummer, his friendships, and his new album, "Hō`ihi." Follow Noel and his Ohana Jazz performances @ohanajazzhawaii

Eha Batutas makes their debut performance at a sold out concert at the Atherton Performing Arts Studio on Saturday, July 6. The quartet is made up of Dean Taba, bass, Gustavo D'Amico, saxophone, Rafael Amaral, guitar, and Abe Lagrimas, Jr, drums and each musician will bring in 2 of their compositions for an evening of all original works. Amaral and Taba visit HPR2 to talk about composition, work and the origin of the band.