Press Release for Dolphin Days 2006.....a bit late, but.......

My friend Owen Matsui, cool bass player/drummer, just came back from the Hilton Waikoloa Village where he and his family got to watch some really cool musicians in action. Here's the official press release from the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Check out the lineup. Now that's real, real cool.




CONTACT:
Leanne Pletcher Meredith Wertz
Marketing Manager Marketing/P.R. Coordinator
Hilton Waikoloa Village Hilton Waikoloa Village
(808) 886-2860 (808) 886-2867
leanne_pletcher@hilton.com meredith_wertz@hilton.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jeffrey Osborne, Rick Braun, and Brenda Russell “Jazz Up” Hilton Waikoloa Village’s Dolphin Days Celebration
Tickets still available for the 12th Annual Dolphin Days Summer Fest, June 22 – 25, 2006

KOHALA COAST, HAWAII’S BIG ISLAND (June 13, 2006) - The Great Waikoloa Food, Wine & Music Festival on Saturday, June 24 will be held on the Palace Lawn beneath the stars- and with the stars themselves. Jeffrey Osborne, Rick Braun, and Brenda Russell join legendary talent for one magical night of stellar performances.

This smooth jazz concert is the highlight of the 12th annual Dolphin Days Summer Fest held June 22 - 25 at Hilton Waikoloa Village. The Great Waikoloa Food, Wine & Music Festival also features culinary specialties; numerous wine, beer and spirit purveyors; a benefit silent auction; and one of the most dramatic firework displays in the Pacific.

The following is a preview of the jazz legends and musicians who will take the spotlight at The Great Waikoloa Food, Wine & Music Festival as the Dolphin Days All Star Band.

Artists

Jeffrey Osborne
Jeffrey Osborne, an American funk and R&B musician, started his musical career in 1969 as a drummer in the band Love Men Ltd. He eventually became the lead singer in the same band, later known as L.T.D. (Love, Togetherness and Devotion). Hits from this band include “Every Time I Turn Around (Back in Love Again)” and “(Holdin’ On) When Love is Gone.” In 1982, Osborne began his first-rate solo career and released his debut self-titled album, which featured the hit single “On the Wings of Love.” Over the years Osborne released five gold and platinum albums and multiple pop, jazz and soul chart toppers such as “Stay With Me Tonight,” which played in the 1984 movie Splash. Osborne recently released an album of soul songs from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, titled From the Soul, which includes pieces by Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder.

Rick Braun – trumpet
Rick Braun started playing the trumpet at eight years old and composing songs at age ten. Today, this successful musician is a trumpet phenomenon, composer/arranger, producer and record label co-owner. Braun’s first song, “Here With Me,” was written with Kevin Cronin for REO Speedwagon and became a Top 20 hit. Other hits include “Kisses in the Rain,” “Middle of the Night,” and “Grazin’ in the Grass.” Braun has received several awards from “Artist of the Year” to “Song of the Year” and “#1 Smooth Jazz Record of the Year.” Over the years, he has recorded and performed with an eclectic mix of musicians including Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Natalie Cole, Sade, Tom Petty, and Crowded House. Braun’s latest CD, Yours Truly, features a diversity of engaging arrangements from rock and soul to funk and love themes.

Brenda Russell – vocals
Singer and songwriter Brenda Russell is the author of several chart topping tunes such as “Piano in the Dark,” “If Only For One Night,” and the popular anthem “Get Here.” Russell has the talented ability to incorporate a wide range of musical influences, shift between musical genres and combine styles. She made a nationwide splash by co-writing the music and lyrics to the Broadway musical The Color Purple in 2005. Other projects pursued by Russell include co-writing “Justice of the Heart” with Stevie Wonder and co-composing “She Walks This Earth” that was later recorded by Sting for an all-star tribute album that eventually earned him a Grammy® award. Superstar artists who have recorded Russell’s songs include Mary J. Blige, Ray Charles, Luther Vandross, and Bob Dylan.

Michael Paulo - musical director & saxophone
This is Michael Paulo's tenth year performing at Dolphin Days. Hawaii's own soulful saxophonist, composer/producer, and president of Noteworthy Records, Paulo was born in Honolulu into Hawaii's famous multi-talented Paulo family. He is known as one of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul, and contemporary jazz with a career of over 25 years. Over the last two decades, Paulo has lent his “saxpertise” to such artists as Al Jarreau, Kenny Loggins, Jeffrey Osborne, Oleta Adams, David Benoit, Rick Braun, and more. In 2001, Paulo won a Na Hoku Hanohano award for best jazz album for his "Sax for Christmas" album. Through his numerous contacts in the music business, Paulo has been instrumental in bringing world class talented musicians to Hilton Waikoloa Village over the last decade.

Pauline Wilson-McClees - vocals
Pauline Wilson, known as Hawaii's own "Big Island girl," returns to an impressive jazz lineup, contributing her sultry, powerful and pristine voice. Wilson, born and raised in Hakalau just outside of Hilo, is the only Grammy® award-winner from Hawaii and is lead singer for the jazz/fusion band, Seawind. Wilson has been a featured vocalist for the last ten years of the festival and is arguably one of the best female jazz vocalists in Hawaii.

Clifford Coulter
Master keyboardist, vocalist, celebrated songwriter and recording artist Clifford Coulter has performed around the world, mesmerizing fans with his one-man-show and passion for down-home blues. He was awarded "best keyboardist/organist" at the South Bay Blues Festival and is an annual performer in Bangkok, Thailand, Amsterdam, Holland and at the renowned
Monterey Blues Festival.

Margo LeDuc – vocalist
The dynamic and soulful vocal styling of international artist Margo LeDuc makes her one of the most sought after performers in the music industry. Her unique sound and versatility have given her the opportunity to perform with The Gap Band, The Manhattans, Bobby McFerrin, and Pete Escovedo. She has opened for Jay Leno and performed for Vice President Al Gore and the King and Queen of Norway. LeDuc also does session work and is a Professional Vocal Coach. She is currently touring, performing, and teaching all over the world.

Dolphin Days All-Star Band

Sergio Gonzales – drums
Sergio Gonzales has played with numerous groups throughout his musical career, providing the backdrop beat so important to musical composition. He has toured with Jennifer Lopez's "J. Lo" Band. His ensemble of expertise ranges from jazz to world music, and those sounds are sure to resonate at his fifth appearance at Dolphin Days.

Michito Sanchez - percussion
Michito Sanchez has emerged as one of Los Angeles' top studio and live percussionists. He has a unique ability to create an atmosphere of music from the Amazon or just groove on a shaker or cowbell. Sanchez also applies his knowledge of Conga drum techniques to other world percussion instruments, simplifying or intensifying intricate world beat rhythms to fit in today's sound of pop, rock, R & B, hip-hop and jazz. Aside from the standard, Sanchez has gathered hundreds of percussion instruments from around the globe which he utilizes with a virtuosity that enhances any musical arrangement. Sanchez has played and recorded with outstanding artists such as the Rolling Stones, Bruce Hornsby, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Elton John, Boz Scaggs, Dave Koz, Eric Benet, Kenny Loggins, George Benson, Stevie Wonder, Eikichi Yazawa and countless other top name acts. Sanchez returns to Hilton Waikoloa Village for the third time as member of the Dolphin Days All Star Band.

Gregg Karukas- keys
Gregg Karukas, a top fusion and studio player from Maryland, has the talent to write an assortment of songs in a variety of styles. From eclectic jazz to Brazilian music to smooth hypnotic grooves, Karukas has the reputation as a solid keyboardist. Karukas has performed with Patti Austin, Peter White, The Pointer Sisters, Shelby Flint, Ronnie Laws, and Brenda Russell. His string of Top 5 radio hits includes “Nightshift,” “Summerhouse,” “Key Witness,” “Sound of Emotion,” and his 1998 breakout label debut “Blue Touch.”

Monte Seward- keys
This is Monte Seward’s debut performance at the Dolphin Days Summer Fest. He is an extremely gifted artist, in both vocals and keyboards.

Kimaya Seward- vocals
Kimaya Seward is a talented performer and the lead singer in the band Hiroshima. This is her first appearance at Dolphin Days.

Dwayne “Smitty” Smith- bass
Dwayne Smith, known to most as “Smitty,” started playing bass at the age of 12. Smitty’s funky-groove style was influenced by artists such as Larry Graham and Parliament Funkadelic. He has toured, recorded, and performed with artists from all genres of music from Will Downing, Natalie Cole, Keith Washington, and Teena Marie to Deniece Williams, James Ingram, Tom Jones, and The Isley Brothers. Smitty is also the producer and musical director of the Starlight Jazz Serenade, an annual benefit concert held in Los Angeles, showcasing current top jazz artists and supporting Hands for Hope, a non-profit organization that aids underprivileged youth.

Fred Schreuders- guitar
Fred Schreuders began his musical career at age four when he learned to play the ukulele. He has over 43 years of experience as a guitarist and vocalist. Schreuders has recorded and performed with talented artists such as Michael Paulo, David Benoit, Pauline Wilson, James Ingram, Freddie Washington, and The Supremes. He is currently concentrating on his own compositions, collaborating with long term work associate Dave Inamine, drummer David Durge, and guest bassist Edwin Livingston.

Blue Johnson- manager
Blue Johnson has served the music business as a tour/production/artist manager for over 35 years. After spending six years with the legendary Seawind, six years with Al Jarreau and years touring the world with countless platinum recording artists, Johnson settled in Bangkok, Thailand, where he promoted and produced international concerts for the Thai and S.E. Asian markets. Blue has also released two world-music CD's of his own and now maintains residency in both L.A. and Thailand.

The Dolphin Days Summer Fest event benefits the Hawaii Shriners Hospital for Children and the Pacific Marine Life Foundation. Over the past eleven years, Dolphin Days at Hilton Waikoloa Village has donated over $450,000 to these two highly deserving organizations.

Presale tickets for The Great Waikoloa Food, Wine & Music Festival are $140 for adults through June 15. Tickets purchased after June 15 are $150. Children's tickets for ages 5 - 12 are $75. Tickets include unlimited food, beverages and entertainment. To make reservations call the hotel direct at 808-886-1234 and ask for restaurant reservations.

Tickets are available at Mele Kai Music, Kona Brewing Company, Kona Wine Market, Waikoloa Village Market, and the Kohala Essence Shop in the Main Lobby of Hilton Waikoloa Village. There will also be a Special Events Desk in the Main Lobby of Hilton Waikoloa Village for ticket purchase and will-call ticket pick-up starting Tuesday, June 20.

To purchase tickets online, make room reservations, check out photos from last year’s event, learn more about Dolphin Days and the benefiting charities, or check the event schedule for information visit www.dolphindays.com.

Call the Dolphin Days hotline for more information. 808-886-1237, touch 7.

To view digital images of Brenda Russell, Rick Braun, and Fred Schreuders please visit the following link:
http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/media/2006-dolphin-days-entertainers.asp

For more information please contact Special Events/Guest Activities Manager Debbie Wund at 808-886-2884 or debbie_wund@hilton.com.

Events are subject to change.

About the Village
Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii’s Big Island offers lush tropical gardens, exotic wildlife, cascading waterfalls, tranquil lagoons and waterways, playful dolphins, three swimming pools, beautifully appointed guest rooms and extensive indoor and outdoor meeting and event venues. The resort also boasts two championship golf courses, a seaside putting course, world-class tennis, the luxurious Kohala Sports Club & Spa, nine international cuisine restaurants, the Museum Walkway, Camp Menehune children’s program
and Hawaiian cultural activities.

For reservations, call toll-free at 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667) from the U.S. and Canada or visit www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com or call the resort directly at (808) 886-1234.

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @