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Topic: Jeff Au Hoy @ Hawaii Theater this Sat. evening |
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2011 12:17 pm |
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The iconic musical catalog of prolific R. Alex Anderson will be honored in this stage tribute, and Jeff gets to play the classic hapa-haole steel parts.
March 19, 2011 - Saturday 7:30pm Tickets $25
Musical director - Robert Uluwehi Cazimero
The Hawaii Theatre continues the pairing of works by two distinguished composers: Helen Desha Beamer and R. Alex Anderson.
Best known for his compositions “Lovely Hula Hands,” “Punahou” and “Mele Kalikimaka,” R. Alex Anderson was one of the early pioneers of Hapa Haole music.
The beautiful voice and music of Helen Desha Beamer will then be recalled in lovely tribute to music that has influenced generations of Hawaiian musicians, and music-lovers around the world. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 18 Mar 2011 7:41 pm
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| It will be a great show I'm sure. One of Alex Andersen's great tunes, I believe, is Waikiki, written in northern Michigan, in winter yet! He was homesick for Hawaii Nei..... |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 18 Mar 2011 9:42 pm
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| BILL...Hate to "correct" you, but WAIKIKI was not written by R.Alex Anderson...it was written by ANDY CUMMINGS. I am cerain those living in Hawaii will confirm this. |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 18 Mar 2011 10:04 pm
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| I am cerain those living in Hawaii will confirm this |
I am not living in Hawaii but I can confirm that Keoki is correct. It is Andy Cummings. Hear it from the composer himself -
Andy Cummings comments and sings
Jeff Au Hoy is an excellent choice to play the steel guitar because he truly has a great Hawaiian sound. 
Aloha, 
Don |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 19 Mar 2011 1:11 pm
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Mahalo Don. That youTube portrays an elderly Andy Cummings which I am certain was filmed a few years prior to his passing in June, 1995. Those of you who might have some of his earlier recordings will recall a much stronger resonant voice. I had the wonderful pleasure of performing with ANDY CUMMINGS(ukulele); the awesome BILLY HEW LEN (steel), and Billy's brother, BUDDY HEW LEN (r/guitar)...myself on bass. It was a very memorable experience. I befriended all of them, each of whom have since passed.
Mary and I with some hesitation ventured to the lovely Spanish motife home of R.ALEX ANDERSON located near Diamond Head, with the sole intention of hopefully obtaining his autograph on my new 8 string Kamaka uke, and to leave immediately. Andy, (as he was affectionately known), greeted us warmly along with his daughter Pam. At that time, he was 99 years of age! Andy insisted we stay for afternoon 'tea' on their patio.
We were entertained by Andy playing my uke and singing his songs. We also enjoyed an interesting discussion of his life along with my interest in his, (also Hawaiian) music. We were there the entire afternoon! I enqured of him, which of his hundreds of compositions was his favorite ? Without any hesitation, he replied, "HAOLE HULA" Andy passed just months prior to reaching 101 years of age, May, 1995.
Pam related a rather humorous story. Andy was an avid golfer even at 99 years of age. He was almost totally blind, could just barely see my ukulele surface as he autograped it for me. As mentioned, he loved to golf but could not see where the ball went after he hit it. Pam was always there to make sure he enjoyed his game. She would observe his swing and the journey of the ball, then take her dad to where the ball had landed.
ANDY CUMMINGS and R.ALEX ANDERSON...two of the greatest treasures of the GOLDEN YEARS OF HAWAIIAN MUSIC. |
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Kay Das
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 19 Mar 2011 2:17 pm
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R. Alex Anderson: great composer, touching to hear those anecdotes. "Lovely Hula Hands", " I will Remember You"...
Andy Cummings: I have a copy of the original hand-written score of "Waikiki" written by him. I have posted some anecdotes of this tune along with my version elsewhere on this forum.
Jeff Au Hoy: is probably one of the least recorded Hawaiian artistes on individual CD, surely high tiime for an individual solo CD to his name.....hint...... 
Would surely love to hear his version of "Waikiki", now that I have come up close and personal with the score....
Kay |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 19 Mar 2011 2:57 pm
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...and who could forget the immortal... "I HAD TO LOVA AND LEAVA ON THE LAVA" ? ha! One of R. Alex Anderson's lesser known tunes !  |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 19 Mar 2011 4:04 pm
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| Often forgotten are his heroic WWI airborne exploits that became the stuff of Hollywood endorsement in the classic soundie, Dawn Patrol. He was that guy! |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 19 Mar 2011 8:36 pm
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Also, if I am correct, he was the guy who first introduced refrigeration to Hawaii !
There are tourists who think the lyrics to MALIHINI MELE are truly legit, oblivious of Andy's great sense of humor.  |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 5:10 am
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Thanks George! I guess I get composers mixed up! Anyway, it's all great stuff
That mistake did bring out even more information |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 1:41 pm
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Hey RON...
How did the concert go last nite with Jeff? I'll bet it was awesome! Who were the sidemen ? C'mon pal...fill us in on the details ... Any other guests there to honor R. Alex Anderson ? |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 9:05 am
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I dunno, Keoki, I tend not go to these types of shows, they usually disappoint in my areas of interest. Since I didn't, no doubt Jeff got plenty of steel time. Maybe he'll tell us how it went.
I'd already had my fill of disappointment earlier at the Hilton's Alfred Apaka tribute, where Jeff and Greg Sardinha were seen but barely heard playing steel.
But, Alfred's active 91 tr. old sister was there (his son Jeffery, MC'd), as was David Kupele Jr., and Queenie Ventura danced beautifully as she did with Alfred in the late 40s. Sadly, these are nearly all of those left with connections to the great days of Alfred Apaka. |
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Drew Howard
From:
48854
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Posted 25 Mar 2011 8:39 am
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| Quote: |
| Jeff Au Hoy is an excellent choice to play the steel guitar because he truly has a great Hawaiian sound. |
For sure!!! |
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