Al Nip and Jon Toda, the founding members of Maui Jam, have been playing Hawaiian music on Maui for 24 years. They have shared their music to malihini and kama'aina at many Maui venues, including, the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Westin Maui, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton Maui, Kealani, and other Maui properties.
Al Nip, retired after 31 years as an educator at Lahainaluna High School, where he coordinated the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism and taught business courses. He has played music professionally on Maui since 1975 and enjoys sharing the culture and history of the islands through this medium. He loves kiho'alu and his style can be described in two words, “simple and sweet.” His wife, Dale, works as a technology instructor at Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus. His daughter, Kiana, is a student at Linfield College and Kaila attends Lahainaluna. All three belong to halau, Hula Alapa'i o Maluuluolele, kumu hula Sharon (Bailey) Balidoy.
Jon Toda has been playing Hawaiian music on Maui for over twenty years. He is a skilled bass player and also plays guitar and ‘ukulele. He is employed at Seabury Hall, a prestigious private school, where he is the Technology Director and teaches 'ukulele. He previously worked for Maui Community College as the coordinator of the CompTech program, a division of VITEC, and as an architect. He has had a hand in designing various Maui properties. Jon is married to wife Lydia, and has two daughters, Kristen, who has won the Hula Grill ukulele contest three times, and Ashley.
Fulton Tashombe, the only full-time musician in the group, is a world-class keyboard player and producer. He has played with the Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Natalie Cole, and most recently Patti LaBelle during the 2007 Christmas season.
Fea-B-Lei has been playing Hawaiian music in Maui since the 60's. She plays 'ukulele and has a beautiful Hawaiian voice.
Geronimo Valdriz is a skilled steel guitar player who trained under Jerry Byrd. He works for the State of Hawai'i as a Family Court Judge.
Their Mahoa ia Hawai'i cd is available at the gift shop in the Lahaina Courthouse, Mele.com, CDBaby.com and Borders at the Maui Marketplace, or by emailing Al at mauijam@yahoo.com.
Hi there!! Howzit? I went to my favorite Hawaiian cafe recently. Then I listen to Hawaiian music. I felt Hawaiian breeze(^-^) BTW,your christmas CD is nominee of Hoku Awards! Congrats! Aloha Masako
Aloha!! Mahalo for your comment. I think that I should be cured early... I listen to Hawaiian music and I'm healed(^-^) I want to play the ukulele!!! Masako
Please vote for our “Aloha Kalikimaka CD” in the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts 2009 Preliminary Ballot. You will find us in the following categories: Christmas Album of the Year Group of the Year Album of the Year Favorite Entertainer of the Year
Happy Spring and a big mahalo for all your support for our projects! In addition to the Grammy for Best Hawaiian Music album, we have also won two Hawaii Music Awards: 'IKENA by Tia Carrere and myself for Contemporary Hawaiian, and Sunny Spaces, my solo project won in the Folk category.
Yes, that would be good, I will come drink it there! I just need to save up for the trip. I went there in May of 2003. I actually would like to live there. LiZ
Join the Daniel Ho Creations email list. We DO NOT share your info with anyone. And we won't flood your inbox.
If you want to join THE OFFICIAL DHC EMAIL LIST, just send an email to theDHCteam@gmail.com with the Subject: PUT ME ON THE EMAIL LIST. We'll take care of you.
Wow!! I love Maui and I am so jealous because I know the weather is just gorgeous there and it is freezing here :( Your music is beautiful and takes me back to the wonderful time my husband and I had on your island. Much Love!! Lindsey
You can vote EVERYDAY for DHC artists and projects in the Hawaii Music Awards!
Here they are by category...
Adult Contemporary Skies of Blue
Daniel Ho
Contemporary Hawaiian 'ikena
Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho
Folk Sunny Spaces
Daniel Ho
Slack Key The Spirit of Hawaiian Slack-Key Guitar
Various Artists: including George Kahumoku, Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Owana Salazar, Richard Ho'opi'i, and more.
Traditional Hawaiian Honehone i ka Poli
Kawaikapuokalani Hewett
Ukulele 2 to Three Feet
Herb Ohta, Jr. and Daniel Ho
THREE STEPS TO VOTE
1. enter your email address here. (one voting session per email address PER DAY!)
2. click your choice for each category -- make sure to click the SUBMIT VOTE button at the bottom of each category
3. click Review and Submit Your Vote at the bottom right of the page, and follow the brief instructions that follow
Thanks for your consideration and support and have fun voting!
Daniel
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*Just a reminder to all NARAS Members: Dont forget to vote! Ballots are due by January 14th!
And again, it is because of you and your support that we received GRAMMY nominations for our Hawaiian CDs The Spirit of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar and ikena! Thank you for considering our projects, once again, on your final ballot
*After you vote, come join Tia and me at THE DERBY! Tia Carrere will be performing some of the songs from her Grammy nominated Hawaiian CD, ikena. We would love to meet you, some come on out for a great show!
SWAG at THE DERBY
Thursday, January 15, 2009
21+, $10 ($5 guestlist--swagevents@yahoo.com)
OR MESSAGE ME BACK AND I"LL PUT YOU ON THE GUEST LIST
show starts @ 9pm, World Famous Derby
4500 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Feliz L.A.
Acoustic Stage in VIP Lounge:
Daniel Ho (Grammy winner, Hawaiian) & Tia Carrere
P.S. My good friend Dean Pitchford (writer of the hit movie Footloose) also received a well-deserved nomination for his children's book The Big One-Oh. Please consider his work as well when you fill out your ballot. You can find more information about The Big One-Oh at www. DeanPitchford. com
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I'd like to wish you all a wonderful holiday season full of love, laughter, and fond memories with family and friends.
But if you're like me and have an adversity to shopping, crowded malls, and overflowing parking lots, just remember what Christmas is really all about - GETTING presents! Just kidding!
Thank you all so much for your good wishes, positive thoughts, and support! I'm so excited to be nominated as an artist for the first time on "ikena", alongside Tia Carrere. I've been riding on her coat-tails since high school, when I got my first opportunity to play at the Waikiki Shell as her pianist in the Brown Bags to Stardom talent competition! hee. hee. I'm also very happy for uncle Dennis Kamakahi who received his first Grammy nomination as a producer on "The Spirit of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar".
mahalo nui loa (thank you very much),
Daniel
Thank you all so much for your good wishes, positive thoughts, and support! I'm so excited to be nominated as an artist for the first time on "ikena", alongside Tia Carrere. I've been riding on her coat-tails since high school, when I got my first opportunity to play at the Waikiki Shell as her pianist in the Brown Bags to Stardom talent competition! hee. hee. I'm also very happy for uncle Dennis Kamakahi who received his first Grammy nomination as a producer on "The Spirit of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar".
mahalo nui loa (thank you very much),
Daniel
Aloha! Just checking in...I'll be in Hawaii this week and if you're around, come on out and say "Hi" or if you have friends and family in the islands, please help spread the word!
November 20th (Thurs.) 6-8pm
Pakele Live @ Ala Moana Hotel's Pakele Lounge
featuring Daniel Ho & Friends: Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Ula Hewett, Barry Kimokeo
FREE!
(park for free at Ala Moana Shopping Ctr and take pedestrian ramp to the hotel)
November 23rd (Sun.) 3pm
St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church Fundraiser
Benefit for Community Outreach in Palama
Tickets: $15.00
St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church
720 North King Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone 808-845-2112
Hope to see some of you there!
Mahalo,
Daniel