The New Kid on the Block at the 70's Nightclub Reunion VII

VII is a lucky number in many a people's book and VII will happen on March 20, 2010 at the Hibiscus Ballroom at the Ala Moana Hotel. With VII comes another band that played the 70's nighclub circuit. "Reach" was a very talented group of musicians brought together by former Greenwood lead vocalist Ronnie Tokunaga. When "Reach" hit the nightclub circuit in the 70's, the band included former Greenwood saxophonist Wayne Nakamura, former Talismen & Greenwood trumpeteer Richard Field and future Power Point & SOSLVer Freddy Paraz on drums. A very impressive band indeed, "Reach" on March 20th will reunite original members Ronnie Tokunaga, Wayne Nakamura, Richard Field and Freddy Paraz along with "Reach" alumnus Dayton Arima on bass. Completing the "Reach" lineup that night will be Curtis Takahama on lead and background vocals, Brian Nakashima on guitar and John Loo on keyboards. It's gonna be cool to see "Reach" in action again. Here's some additional information on "Reach" as provided by Superman Irwin Santos from the 70's Nightclub Reunion official website. Cool!!!

Reach


In 1978, Reach, a 7-piece funk band was formed by Ron Tokunaga. The original members were Richard Field on trumpet and trombone, Wayne Nakamura on saxes, Gilbert Farias on bass, Clyde Pascua on guitar, Fred Von Paraz on drums, Greg Lee on keyboards, and Ron Tokunaga on lead vocals, keyboards and percussion.

Other members who played for Reach were Eddie Felipe, Dayton Arima, Todd Hayashi, Mark Stone, Wendell Ching, Eddie Pascua and Jarry Gomes. We note the sad passing of our “Brothers-in-Music”, Eddie Felipe (drums) and Greg Lee (keyboards).

The band's first gig was at Napoleon's Night Club on Kapahulu where Starbucks and Jamba Juice are now located. They later went on to play at the venues such as C'est Si Bon, Oceania's Empire Room, The Junction, The Jazz Cellar, Kauai Beach Resort, Maui Beach Resort, and da Sting which had a large tourist crowd.

When John Rowles, the singer who had the hit Cheryl Moana Marie, heard Reach at da Sting, he asked the band to be his back up band and go on a world tour. It was a tempting offer but one they ultimately turned down. They also backed Greg Pinho the Hana Boy during da Sting’s Disco Ohana.

Reach did all types of dance tunes but specialized in the slap popping funk of Rubicon, Commodores and Earth Wind & Fire to name a few. Some of the covers at the time included Jupiter, Magic Mind, Fantasy, Love's Holiday, Reasons.

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