Jamie O'Brien

Hawaiian links:

The best place to hear slack key guitar music is on Maui where George Kahumoku hosts the weekly show at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, featuring some of the best musicians in the genre -- I've been lucky enough to see concerts with Led Kaapana, George Kuo, Martin Pahinui, Dennis Kamakahi, Keoki Kahumoku, Daniel Ho, Ozzie Kotani and, of course, Da Ukulele Boys. Go to the Masters of Slack Key Guitar Concert Series website for more information on the shows and on the Grammy Winning album of live performances from the series.

Musicians:

Singer, slack key and steel guitarist Owana Salazar was one of the first musicians I met - she performed in concert with Keoki Kahumoku. Listen to her wonderful album, Owana, available through her website;

Ledward Ka'apana is a superb multi-instrumentalist - perhaps one of the best guitarists in the world - as well as a wonderful singer;

George Kahumoku is another of the singer/slack key players who are out of this world. Check his webpage and enjoy his album, Hawaiian Love Songs;

Cyril Pahinui is another brilliant musician - take a look at his page, and try to listen to his Night Moon album;

Cindy Combs has a superb album out called Slack Key Lady - you should look at her page, too;

Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom has been another great discovery - what a beautiful singer - go to her web page;

Daniel Ho is a wonderful contemporary singer, songwriter, guitarist and ukulele player whose musical life has led him in many different directions;

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Record labels:

Many of these recordings are on Dancing Cat Records - take a look at the webpage;

Another interesting record company is Mountain Apple - not so much slack key as other genres well worth listening to;

Specializing in ukulele music is Roy Sakuma Productions- find out more about Ohta-San, his son Herb Ohta Jr. and more;

Cord International & Hana Ola Records is a record company dedicated to preserving, restoring and releasing 'lost' or previously out-of-print classic recordings from Hawaii. Their web site is well worth a visit!

Daniel Ho Creations has made a fine name for itself in a relatively short time - some wonderful musicians release their albums on this label;

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Odds & ends:

Take a look at Hawaiian Music Island, MELE.COM, the best Hawaiian site on the Web - lots of information, lots of albums, books and videos for sale, lots of bios, and lots more - a truly wonderful web site;

Keoki Donaghy has a great site. Have a look at NahenaheNet;

Also, check out Island Cat for some great fabrics for your Hawaiian shirts and for lots more!

Shave ice is something special. And now you can get it here - well, nearly. In Timonium, which isn't really that far, at Jay's Shave Ice;

Slack key guitarists and aficionados - take a look at the Taro Patch, a great site for more information on many aspects of slack key and ukulele playing.