I played at the 2nd Annual Asian American Music Festival in Japan Town. It was held at The Japanese American National Museum. A three day event, we played on the middle day (saturday evening). Our set was with the great Abe Lagrimas Jr on vibes and drums, Dean Taba on bass ( so happy that Dean was in L.A. and able to play with us) and a new friend and fantastic musician Gary Fukushima on piano. Abe and I traded off playing vibes, and we had two drum sets so we did the drum duet (battle) thing. We both even played on "one" vibraphone at the same time. The set went off well with the audience. It was a great experience for me. Dean and I then joined Jake Shimabukuro for a wonderful set of his music. Always great playing with Jake.

Vegas was fun, although I didn't really get into the gambling ( too much smoke in the Casinos). Liane had to work all day on monday so I took a cab to see "Pawn Stars". There was a line about a hundred deep waiting to get in. I waited an hour before the line started moving. It turns out they were filming. I got into the shop, but didn't get to see Chumlee... I was a little disappointed, but had fun making the trek.

Liane and I went to see Mystere, and that was incredible. The show has everything, comedy, good live music, great staging and of course, the amazing acrobatics. I would love to see more shows.

The month of August was a blast playing with old friends visiting town. Ed Weber was great at Gordon Biersch and his wife Carol is doing wonderful work as a writer for The Examiner.com. Had fun playing with the great Jimmy Borges and Betty Loo Taylor along with Steve Jones and Rocky Holmes at the annual Wildest Show In Town at the Honolulu Zoo. Played with my long time friend and fantastic musician Eric Miyashiro in a big band he lead at The Pearl City Cultural Center Jazz Festival. The festival featured The Honolulu Jazz Quartet, as well as Rhythm Summit ( fun playing with my buddies Kenny Endo and Dean Taba). The festival was a huge success ( kudos to producer Eric Kop and theater manager Nathan Kagihara) and hopefully we will be doing it next year. Soon after, played with trombonist and scientist, Chris Amemiya. Chris always sound's good and has a really nice book for 4 horns. Then I was off to Japan with Jake Shimabukuro. We did four dates, Osaka, Kochi (Ampan Man) Hiroshima and Tokyo. Jake is doing well in Japan with the release of his new CD. Every performance was sold-out, with the Osaka theater holding a thousand people, and the Tokyo Opera House holding two thousand. Dean and I went to see my old friend Makoto Ozone and his big band  called "No Name Horses" at the Tokyo Blue Note. Eric Miyashiro plays lead trumpet with the band and they sounded great. Wonderful compositions and playing. Makoto invited me up at the end of the set to sit-in with the band. That was a thrill and really big fun... thanks to Makoto and Eric.

Mahalo

Really great playing and some fine writing and arranging with the Ornery Horns at Gordon Biersch ( July 21). We were blessed with some fine jazz played buy The Iolani School Jazz Combo directed by Robert Shinoda. The students played some challenging stuff like "Some Skunk Funk", "The Chicken", and some Charlie Parker be-bop. Remember the name Logyn Okuda. Logyn played some funky and swingin' drums with the combo... and he is only 7years old. Fun night for all.

Wow, it has been about twenty years of Ukulele Festivals for me... all have been great fun. Congratulations to Roy and Kathy Sakuma, who this year put on the 40th Annual Festival. This years festival was  just perfect. Perfect weather, perfect entertainment with C& K, Jake Shimabukuro etc., and the best 400 piece Ukulele Band in the land. Extra special for me because my four nephews and my niece all participated in the festival. ( Eli even won a really nice Koolau Ukulele).Thanks and a lot of love to Roy and Kathy.

Mahalo

Had a great time playing with pianist David Benoit on July 17th. Big thank you to Michael Paulo for continuing to present great artists to the Honolulu audiences. I played with Benoit earlier in the year on Maui as part of his brother Phil's, Benoit Family concert. Both times Dean Taba ( who toured with Benoit for many years) played his butt-off. Props to Phil, who is a fine guitarist.

Mahalo

Sorry this gig didn't make it on my calendar. This was with drummer Dana Hall at Gordon Biersch. The place was packed, with a lot of people and drummers. Always nice to see my drumming buddies.

I was on drums too, and Dana and I met for the first time at the gig. Didn't really say much with regards to the music. We just started playing, and it was magical. Dana's a great drummer and musician, and a great guy too. Dana returned to Chicago where he is a professor at The University Of Illinois. Looking forward to the next time.

Special thanks to DeShannon Higa, whose concept it was to bring Dana and I together. Great concept and great playing. Thanks to Robert Shinoda for his tireless dedication to bringing neat ideas like this to the Gordon Biersch stage. To Dean Taba, great playing and thanks for anchoring it all.

Mahalo

Sorry for being so delinquent with the updates. The last gig listed on the calendar was The Red Clay Jazz Festival on Kauai. Rhythm Summit performed, and was warmly received. Played with Ernie Watts, and that was way over-the top! Ernie was just sensational. Big mahalo to DeanTaba, Allen leong and Kenny Endo for their great playing with Ernie and Rhythm Summit. Special thanks to Judy Arrigo and all of the Kauai Concert Association staff and volunteers for their efforts in a very successful festival. Along with the great music, the majestic beauty of Hanalei Bay, and the beautiful St. Regis Hotel made for the perfect setting. This was topped off with a "double rainbow" during Rhythm Summit's sound check and a "moon-bow" during Ernie's closing set.

Mahalo