Media reports of the passing of Roland Cazimero, 66, on July 16 were scant on family comments.
So I asked Robert Cazimero, and he provided this reflection: “Even as I miss him, I celebrate the life, talent and humor of my brother Roland. He was the best orchestra a person could ever have. I will miss playing music with him and I will miss singing with him.
“The world without Roland Cazimero in it seems quite surreal. … It makes me sad. I want to thank everyone for their kind condolences at this time.”
When the Brothers Cazimero — a pair of soulful voices, prolific songwriters, versatile instrumentalists — emerged in the 1970s, their contemporary hybrid sound fueled the renaissance of Hawaiian music.
How novel, too: Roland, cross-legged on a cube, playing fantastic guitar, tossing out one-liners for comic relief; Robert, on stand-up fiddle bass (sometimes grand piano), sharing his sweet voice while orchestrating the Caz trademark, that impromptu (not “choreographed”) bro-dance of joyful mirth and music with fizz and flair. Think “Kawika” and you have the essence of classic Cazimero.
Hawaii News Now will retelevise Phil Arnone’s “At Home in the Islands,” the splendid hourlong Caz documentary, at 7 p.m. Aug. 11 on KGMB and Aug. 13 on KHNL.
Willie K did a stunning 30-minute tribute to “Bozo” at Blue Note Hawaii last week. Chicken skin.
The esteemed Mahi Beamer, 88, who died July 14, was a pioneering singer-pianist who shared Hawaiian music abroad. Sounds like the all-star band within the pearly gates is expanding. …
SEE-WORTHY
Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” at Diamond Head Theatre through Aug. 13, deserves to be part of your world.
Megan Boggs as the mermaid Ariel, who wants to trade her lovely voice for legs, has skirty fins (not a tail), but her “The World Above” vocal earns her Disney princess “legs,” so to speak. She even flies — well, “swims” — floating over the stage, earning hurrahs. If only there were underwater visual projections and motion effects.
Actors with strong voices and dance creds thrive. Prince Eric (Jerry Hurr, looking princely with bonus ballet moves) has aerial moments, too. More applause.
The evil octopus Ursula (Blythe Kelsey, lusty and commanding) has the requisite eight legs plus two aides (in kabuki-style black) to maneuver movement.
Sebastian (Miguel Cadoy III) frolics sideways like a crab (alas, no claws), but sings the (s)hell out of “Under the Sea.” Scuttle (Mathias Mass, with seagull head gear) and Flounder (Shane Nishimura, best friend of Ariel) are engaging and delightful.
The Broadway show, based on the 1989 animated film inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, radiates vibrant colors brighter than the rainbow.
The takeaway: Andrew Sakaguchi, guest director-choreographer, steers his eager and enthusiastic charges (along with his techies) in a triumphant whirlpool of communal artistic effort. …
HELLO, ‘FOLLIES’
Jack Cione’s 12th and final “Follies,” playing today and next weekend at the Arcadia, is a costumed lip-sync extravaganza that fills the eyes and touches the heart. (Tenants have access to free guest tickets.)
A 30-member cast of (mostly) seniors breezes through a gamut of classic Broadway tunes and dance moves, with even a Polynesian parade, a visit to Rio, a mystical magic-dress moment and a red-white-and-blue patriotic finale. Astounding. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
