Backstage Jazz

Songs & Stories Podcast: S4, E5 Kailee Spark up in the SF Bay Area – Silicon Valley, raised Mormon, and left the church at age 22. A child of the ‘80s, her musical career started at eight years young, she wrote her first song at 12, raised on classic rock music, she was gifted a guitar at 13 and the rest is history. Learning to play by ear and always challenging herself by writing songs in every genre in her journey as a singer-songwriter. In this episode, you'll hear, "Passageways" and "Universe at Your Fingers." Follow Kailee Spark: Website I Twitter I Instagram --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

The Big Island Beat Podcast: Bonus Episode Show notes: In this episode you’ll hear backstage interviews with Terrapin Station members Russell Ruderman (guitar/vocals), Michael Surprenant (drums/vocals), and Sarah Bethany (Keyboard/ vocals). The Grateful Dead tribute concert marked the first live music performance since the pandemic closed the theatre over a year ago. The Big Island Beat podcast is available for free on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. If you have a podcast show suggestion or guest interview recommendation, give Big Island Music Magazine a call at (318) 500-3582, and leave us a message on the request line. If we like what we hear, we might air it on a future podcast episode. Thanks for listening and Aloha! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

In this episode, we speak with musician Brad Bordessa who has been playing and teaching the ʻukulele professionally for over a decade. Bordessa talks about his new podcast, and tells us about the backstory for two of his original songs, "Fall Out," and "If Only." To learn more about Brad Bordessa, visit: https://liveukulele.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Charles Michael Brotman is known throughout Japan and the US for his role as the lead guitarist for Kohala, the acoustic guitar trio from the Big Island of Hawaii. The Grammy Award winning guitarist/composer/producer is a staple of the Hawaiian musical diet. Songs & Stories is a production of Big Island Music Magazine, and available for free on ApplePodcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or on your favorite music app. Don’t forget to subscribe! Connect with Charles Michael Brotman: https://www.charlesmichaelbrotman.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Scott Reagan is the lead singer for Bottle of Blue, Hawaii’s premier rock ‘n roll band. In this episode he shares new material including some from a new project called Bystander. Connect with Bottle of Blue on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bottle-of-Blue-298610106957021/ and YouTube. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

With a deep voice and sure hand, Dagan is one of Waimea’s most authentic folk musicians infusing Hawaiian stylings into his own original compositions to create a refreshing sub-genre he calls “paniolo folk music.” His music hints at honest beginnings in an off-the-grid family and years spent playing alongside the legendary Hawaiian artist Braddah Smitty. By blending the two genres, Dagan has created a style that pays tribute to the ranching history of Hawai'i while embracing mainstream folk sounds. You can find his music here: https://www.daganmusic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Jesse Snyder is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer and vocalist. He plays tenor and baritone saxophones, clarinet, flute, drums, has a smooth baritone singing voice, and is one of the most desirable musicians in Hawai'i for both live performances and recording sessions. If you have a podcast show suggestion or guest interview recommendation, give Big Island Music Magazine a call at (318) 500-3582, and leave us a message on the request line. If we like what we hear, we might air it on a future podcast episode. Thanks for listening and Aloha! Jesse Snyder: https://www.jessejsnyder.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Honey Jar is a singer-songwriter duo featuring Ellen Keehan and Kristin Lagasse's original folk music with a bluegrass flair. This episode includes the Honey Jar original "How Does Your Garden Grow," and Kristin Lagasse's Upside Down." Connect with Honey Jar: https://www.facebook.com/honeyjarkona Songs & Stories is a production of Big Island Music Magazine, and available for free on ApplePodcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or on your favorite music app. Don’t forget to subscribe! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Just KJ (aka Kimberly June) is a Kona-based folk-pop artist full of fun stories to tell. With an unconventional upbringing in the Dominican Republic and five years of the Nashville music industry under her belt, she has acquired quite a unique and deep outlook on life. Three of her original songs are featured on this podcast. The Songs & Stories podcast is a production of Big Island Music Magazine, and available for free on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Be sure to subscribe and review.  Connect with Kimberly June: https://justkj.love --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Chase and Carl Kauhane, of Waimea,  grew up playing music together and turned their favorite past-time in to a career in 2010. This episode features three of their songs: "Far Away," "Agree To Disagree," and "Take The Leap."  The Songs & Stories podcast is a production of Big Island Music Magazine. Catch up on previous episodes here: https://anchor.fm/bigislandmusicmagazine. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Born and raised on Hawaii Island, Elizabeth Sekona Robinson has been playing violin most of her life. She received eleven years of classical training under Ursula Vietze-Koehler, during which time she won the annual Madeline Schatz-Harris Youth Concerto Competition twice. This episode features her work with the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra, a tribute to Frank Zappa, and a new track with Gary Washburn from the album Lavender. Songs & Stories is a production of Big Island Music Magazine, and available for free on ApplePodcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or on your favorite music app. Don’t forget to subscribe! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

For over 30 years Honokaa High and Intermediate School band teacher Gary Washburn has been inspiring students to produce outstanding music. Washburn estimates he has taught three to four thousand students in his tenure at the school. Although he is reaching an age when retirement would be a consideration for most, Washburn maintains, “As long as it’s fun, I’m going to keep at it.” In this podcast you'll hear selection from BANDemic, the Honoka‘a Jazz Band's new release. If you have a podcast show suggestion or guest interview recommendation, give Big Island Music Magazine a call at (318) 500-3582, and leave us a message on the request line. If we like what we hear, we might air it on a future podcast episode. Thanks for listening and Aloha! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

This episode features an interview with the multi-talented music couple of Michael Surprenant and Sarah Bethany. Sarah's a singer-songwriter, producer, arranger, and Michael is a producer, drummer, and studio engineer.  Tracks: "The Uncomfortable Truth" and "Illuminate." The Songs & Stories podcast is a production of Big Island Music Magazine, and available for free on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Be sure to subscribe. Catch up on previous episodes here: https://anchor.fm/bigislandmusicmagazine. Sarah Bethany: https://www.sarahbethany.com Michael Surprenant: https://www.manamusicstudio.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Rapper, singer, songwriter Higgs is our guest for this episode. He shares two original songs plus a sneak peak at his upcoming album. The Songs & Stories podcast is a production of Big Island Music Magazine, and available for free on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Be sure to subscribe. Catch up on previous episodes here: https://anchor.fm/bigislandmusicmagazine. Higgs: http://higgsmusic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

RJ Kaneao is an award winning recording artist, producer and session guitarist who’s played and/or recorded with many amazing A-list musicians and artists. You can find his music on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and on his own Pandora station (RJ Kaneao). Songs & Stories is a production of Big Island Music Magazine, and available for free on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Be sure to subscribe. Catch up on previous episodes here: https://anchor.fm/bigislandmusicmagazine. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Show notes: Dirty Cello started eight years ago when Rebecca Roudman, a tenured member of both the Oakland and Santa Rosa symphony orchestras, met guitarist Jason Eckl while attending college. He’s now her husband. Dirty Cello has since toured China, Italy, and even Iceland, all while paying their musical dues along the way. In this episode, Roudman talks about several unusual shows the band played during the past nine including a nudist colony, serenading animals at the zoo, and appearing in a commercial about being productive during the time of Covid-19 with Hangover actor Ken Jeung. Fans of the podcast will hear two unreleased Dirty Cello tracks "Don't Tell My Shows," and the Jimi Hendrix classic "Purple Haze." --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Show Notes: Widely praised for his mastery of the Hawaiian slack-key guitar, Oahu singer/songwriter Makana built a reputation around the turn of the millennium for his dynamic playing style that infuses indigenous guitar styles with rock, blues, and world music. Following his award-winning 1999 debut, he delivered a string of solo albums that mixed traditional slack-key instrumentals with original songs, later gaining wider notice for his contributions to the Grammy-nominated collections Hawaiian Slack Key Kings I & II as well as the soundtrack to the film The Descendants. Makana also has the distinction of being the last artist to perform at the Kahilu Theatre before the pandemic shut things down. Fans of the podcast will be treated to two originals songs by Makana, “Aloha-Ka Manini,” and “Stressed.” Connect with Makana via his website. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Show Notes: Normally this this time of year, Musical Director Trever Veilleux would be preparing the UH Hilo Jazz Orchestra for its annual double-dose of Frank Zappa tribute concerts, however, the pandemic prevented that. Although folks won’t be lining up outside of the Performance Center to hear their interpretations, Veilleux appears on this podcast with his thoughts on Zappa and the UHJO. In this episode you'll hear UHJO  recordings of “Uncle Remus," Outside Now," and new material from Professor T & The East Side Shredders. Some listeners may object to the explicit lyrics found in these songs. To quote Zappa, "This album contains material which a truly free society would neither fear nor suppress." --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Show Notes: Blues guitarist Tomi Isobe celebrates his 10-year tenure on the Big Island of Hawaii with a new album called Ko'u Huaka’i (My Journey). It’s a different musical path for Isobe and he’s joined by the legendary Sonny Lim on guitar. Isobe joins host Steve Roby, and they play three tracks from the new release. You’ll hear “Big Island Blues,” “Na Vaqueros,” and “Sukiyaki-Ue Wo Muite Arukou.” The guitarist also takes on the challenge of singing in in English, Hawaiian, Japanese and Spanish. Fans can preview and purchase the album here. Tomi Isobe: http://www.tomiisobemusic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message

Show Notes: We asked John Burnett, staff writer for the Hawaii Tribune Herald, for his Top 5 Tunes and he came up with picks from Ledward Kaapana, Mark Yamanka, Nā Palapala, Darlene Ahuna, and Long Tall Deb and Colin John. Listen to the podcast to see which songs he chose. Burnett has been in Hawaii media for almost four-and-a-half decades, three of those in radio. He's also written extensively about Hawaii music and entertainment -- first in the late 1990s for the former Hawaii Island Journal, then for the Hawaii Tribune-Herald starting in 2006, where he's now the police and courts reporter and handling general assignments during the pandemic.  The Big Island Beat podcast is available for free on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thanks for listening and Aloha! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message