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Wood Craft Ben Wood |
Denny, Colon get jazz fest
off to an impressive start
Martin Denny, playing his big hit, "Quiet Village," got Hawaii's 11th International Jazz Festival off to a terrific start at majestic Hawaii Theatre Friday night. Despite being 93, Marty didn't miss a beat. Lopaka Colon's percussion and bird calls were impressive. He sounded like his late dad, Augie Colon, who was Marty's percussionist. The exotic bird calls had people such as Jane Stubenberg and others in the packed house contributing a jungle whoop or two. Marty's set was followed by Ginai, who was born to be a big-band singer. She was solid and had great moves. Then came Melveen Leed, who started out singing jazz 40 years ago. Her vocals and jokes were marvelous. Jimmy Borges, the best male jazz-pops singer in town, followed. He had Gabe Baltazar conduct the band on music by Frank Sinatra's arrangers. Sax stars Gabe and David Choy blew fine solos all night. And there was more following intermission and again Saturday night by local singers and the swinging band. The festival is Abe Weinstein's baby. Abe has got it all together, oh yeah! ... It was a festival Edd Shonk, 70, a superb jazz bassist, would have enjoyed. Edd, a friend from the days when we were in Don McDiarmid's Roosevelt High band, died July 18 ...
Academy of Arts Showcase is slated Aug. 15
The Academy of Arts' Showcase 2004 Art to Go fund-raiser Aug. 15 will have wines from more than 20 winemakers and food prepared by some of Hawaii's leading chefs. Roy Yamaguchi, Doug Lum, Philippe Padovani, Mike Nevin, Darryl Fujita, Todd Wells, Wayne Hirabayashi, Mark Kowalkowski, Christian Schneider and James Gillespie are among the chefs. Pat Loui and Donna Goth are chairs of the event. Tickets are $75. Call 532-3687 for more info and reservations ...Maui-based TS restaurants marked the official grand opening of its seventh Hawaii restaurant, Hula Grill Waikiki, Friday. The Hawaiian blessing was given by Maui's Rev. Abraham Williams, 86. TS officers on hand were David Allaire, Dick Moon and Bill Parsons. Outrigger officials included Barbara Campbell, Kimberly Agas and Nancy Daniels. Chef Kowalkowski and his staff prepared the tasty pupus. Music was by George and Keoki Kahumoku. Longtime beach boy Rabbit Kekai was in the crowd. The handsomely designed grill is located above Duke's Waikiki, another TS property in the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel ...