Someone at Monterey Live must have a soft spot for Hawaiian music.
Coming on the heels on young ukelele whiz Jake Shimabukuro last Sunday and island folk-rocker Makana earlier this month, the club brings in perhaps the most celebrated Hawaiian group of the past 20 years, Hapa, on Tuesday night.
The duo, singer/bassist Nathan Aweau and singer/guitarist Barry Flanagan, have won too many Hawaiian music awards to count, recently winning four Na Hoku Hanohano awards (Hawaii's version of the Grammys) for their CD, "Maui," including "Album of the Year" and "Contemporary Hawaiian Album of the Year.
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Also, Aweau took two more Hokus, including "Male Vocalist of the Year." The duo, whose music is firmly rooted in traditional Hawaiian music, but with modern touches and influences (such as jazz, rap and Afrobeat), has been winning Hokus since they first debuted.
In addition to their breathtaking harmonies and almost achingly beautiful solo singing, both men are virtuosos on their respective instruments.
If you enjoy Hawaiian music, this is a must-see show. Info: .
A lot of new groups and individual performers are starting to display their talents on the local music scene these days.
For example, Sugar and Gold, a band that consists of some former Pacific Grove denizens and combine pop, funk and R B, played a well-received and attended set last weekend at Monterey Live, despite the inebriated golf fans from the AT T tournament.
This week a new rock band featuring some well-known local musicians, Victory Lane, will make its debut tonight (Thursday) at Ocean Thunder.
The band consists of Troy O'Shann of Honey Hush on vocals, guitarist Bob Ohsiek and bassist Jeff Covell of Kelly and the Beachcombers and "Hot" Rod Wilson of Upside Downside on drums.
The band plays classic rock, from the Beatles and the Stones to Jimi Hendrix and the James Gang that Wilson says they "stylize these songs in a fun progressive way that seems to please everybody."
Another new band consisting of former members of several rock bands (The Remedy, Retribution, Pocket Change and DB Walker), Mercy will rock the Running Iron in Carmel Valley Village on Friday night.
Also in Carmel Valley, but on Saturday night, if you're into Bob Dylan, check out Highway 61 Revisited featuring Bill Smith at Plaza Linda Mexican restaurant.
That's a 6:30 to 9 p.m. show with reservations advised by calling 659-4229.
A newcomer to our scene, acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter Ryan David Orr will perform Tuesday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the East Village Coffee Lounge in Monterey.
Orr, who will also perform at the coffee lounge in March, opening for author/poet Brant Clifford, has just released his debut album "Bagdaddio," which is available at . More info at: bagdaddio.
And a lot of new (and established and well-known) singer-songwriters are finding an audience at Monterey Live's Songwriters Showcase hosted by singer-songwriter Sahra Baker.
The showcase moves to Sunday afternoons after a long successful run on Thursdays. From 4 to 6 p.m.
singer-songwriters Jay Burriss, Rosie (from Sex Farm), Jana Heller and Andy Gilhooley, Dave and Nancy Phillips, Frank Clare and Lark Simmons will perform their original music.
Burriss, for example is a former member of the Cachagua Playboys and is currently performing Brazilian forro accordion with the Sambahemians and, soon, Sambada.
Heller is an established singer-songwriter with a CD and extensive credits in film and television.
Tickets are $7 advance, $10 door. Info's at 375-LIVE.GO!
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