Harpist Megan Bledsoe Ward is joined by Noel Okimoto (vibraphone), Jon Hawes (bass) and Allan Ward (drums) in demonstrating the possibilities of using a harp as a jazz instrument in this self-titled debut album by the Pacific Harp Project. Read more
Medusa as victim rather than monstrous villain — that’s the premise of the latest rock opera from Gerard K. Gonsalves and Tin Idol Productions. Sandy “Storm” Essman stars in the title role with Darren Soliven as narrator. Read more
Jamaican rhythms, rock guitars and Jawaiian accents reverberate through the download-only debut EP of this young island sextet. Read more
Multi-instrumentalist Ka‘imi Hanano‘eau made a splash in 2014 as guitarist and lead vocalist of HiRiz, a reggae/rock/Jawaiian group. Read more
Improvisational comedy/theater groups use audience suggestions to create unique one-time-only performances. Read more
George Kahumoku’s three Grammy Awards for his work as a record producer represent only a small part of his overall contributions to Hawaiian music. Kahumoku draws on most facets of that broad repertoire with this collection of songs about paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys). Read more
Kawika Kahiapo has enjoyed critical and popular success as a solo performer and as a member of Hawaiian quartet Kaukahi. The title of this anthology translates as “Living Water,” and he describes its contents as expressing his gratitude to God for all he has accomplished and all he has received. Read more
The timing of Mike Love’s new album couldn’t be better. Read more
Hawaii recording artists have embraced the modern tradition of putting out Christmas albums, and this year there are four new releases. Read more
Watching Aidan James introduce the songs on his debut album in concert at the Honolulu Museum of Art on Nov. 29 and then listening to them as recorded on the CD clarifies what he means when he says, “I want to be able to show the ukulele to everybody and be able to show that you can do anything with it.” Read more
75