Wood Craft
Marsalis, band enthrall
big Blaisdell crowdWynton Marsalis and 14 men well-dressed in suits and ties walked on the Concert Hall stage Wednesday and without talking gave a crowd of 2,000 some of the finest jazz to be heard here in years. Marsalis, the incomparable trumpet player, and the disciplined Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra were a joy. Each musician is a standout and is disciplined, yes, but when given his chance to solo, he had free reign to cut loose. On a blues number with the rhythm section, Marsalis used a derby mute to vary the remarkable tone he gets from his horn. It was fabulous. The aggregation, with Marsalis starting with a solo, played the greatest version of "Closer Walk With Thee" that I have ever heard. When the whole band put the pedal to the metal, that "Walk" became a glorious ride. Although some numbers were a bit unfamiliar, it was all solid ...
Honu gets Al Green
The Honu group has landed Al Green to sing at its 2100 Kalakaua Grand Opening Dec. 6. The 2100 address is where luxury shops Gucci, Tiffany, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Tod's and Boucheron are located. Also performing at the site that evening are Honolulu Symphony ensembles, Na Leo, John Lake and Halau Mele, the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble and the La Pietra Show Choir. There will be food and drink at each store. Isle culture and arts orgs will benefit from the opening. Tickets are $175 each; call 550-4449 ....The ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) benefit dinner last Saturday night netted just over $100,000 for research. At one hot table, nine beautiful women were big bidders in the silent and live auctions, with Chula Harrison's bid of $7,700 winning a gleaming new Honda Shadow motorcycle. Chula bared her love of bikes, saying, "I sat on the Honda, and it bit me." Chula and husband, Iolani English teacher Robert Harrison, both own Honda Shadows. Chula, who often rides wearing a bikini, said she bought it for Robert because his broke down that very day. Also at the table was Michelle St. John, who bought five minutes of ALS research in memory of the late Rear Adm. Adrian Perry. The admiral's daughter, Liz Perry, was at the table. Liz's sister, Muffy Ohlmeyer, called in the winning bid for a dinner for 10 with food by Cascada chef Jean-Pierre Maharibatcha. Others at the table were Conne Sutherland, Annie Martin, Lisa Livingston, Wendy Wichman, Tiare Finney and Connie Carr. Emcees Gary Sprinkle and Pam Young presented artist Peggy Chun, battling ALS, with a courage award to much applause. Anita Hall sang a few numbers and should have been given more time. Son Caribe played dance music ...
Street Bikers parade
Perhaps Robert and bikini-clad Chula will ride in the Street Bikers United Toy Drive Parade Dec. 1, 3 p.m. The pre-parade toy drop will be at the Convention Center. Doors open at 10 a.m. Up to 3,000 bikes will stage at the center ... The Opera Ball is next Saturday at the Sheraton Waikiki ... Meritage has received its liquor license ... Hyun Joo Tanaka, wife of former musician-composer Denny Tanaka, has opened Umji Spa on Makaloa ...
Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin in the streets
of downtown Honolulu during World War II, writes of
people, places and things every Saturday.
E-mail him at bwood@starbulletin.com