As a composer and record producer, it's not every day that I get the chance to work with an artist the caliber of Amy Hanaiali'i. That's why—at about this time last year—I jumped at the chance to collaborate with her again, this time on her ninth album, called “;'Aumakua.”;

This weekend on the Toyota Pops stage, we'll unveil the all-new orchestral arrangements and compositions that make “;'Aumakua”; so extraordinary.

Amy, together with Maui's own Grammy Award-winning slack-key virtuoso Jeff Peterson, will join the Pops for two concerts as we premiere this latest—and arguably the greatest—installment of Amy's remarkable career.

“;'Aumakua”; was recorded in Hawaii Kai with the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii, which I founded a few years ago with local musicians. 'Aumakua means “;family guardian”; and the album reflects Amy's heritage, including jazz standards and hits from the big-band era.

I perform with Amy as often as I can, and I'm always amazed at how she can change musical “;personalities”; and move so easily between genres. Whether it's jazz, big band or classic Hawaiian, Amy's metamorphosis is from butterfly into butterfly. That rare versatility makes her a one-of-a-kind talent. When we performed together in New York City at Feinstein's last year, it was a thrill to see Amy embrace the character of nightclub star as well. She can do it all.

This weekend, we're showcasing material from her new album, including two songs that deliver fresh takes on classics we love: “;Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”; (written by John Fogerty for Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1970) and “;I Remember You”; (written in 1941 by Victor Schertzinger with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, first heard in the 1942 movie “;The Fleet's In”; with Dorothy Lamour and William Holden).

Amy's just completed a tour of Japan and is about to launch a tour that will take her around the world for much of 2008 and 2009. For her Pops concerts, we're shaking things up a bit and extending her portion of the show (we'll have a shorter first half). This added time on stage will give Amy the chance to include many of her all-time hits that die-hard fans are asking for.

Please join me and the whole orchestra as we welcome Amy “;home”; for her very first “;'Aumakua”; concerts on Hawaiian soil.