The Fabulous Echoes - Day By Day

Now this is really, really cool!!! Pre-Society of Seven in action!!! The Fabulous Echoes, that's Terry Lucido on the piano, Stan Robertson on bass, Danny Ruivivar on the drums, Tony Ruivivar on the guitar and Bert Sagum on vocals. The final Fabulous Echo on vocals and congas I don't know, but check out the vocals and the moves. Fabulous, cool!!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

Golden Throat at the 70's Nightclub Reunion VIII

A little bio that Nohelani Cypriano passed on to Robin Kimura on the band that will close out the night at the Ala Moana Hotel on Saturday, August 14, 2010.

GOLDEN THROAT


In the ‘70’s, an all-girl local top 40 band started it all for the lead singer of Golden Throat. The all-girl band, called Rock Candy entered a talent contest amongst 22 bands and won (and not only because of their hot pants!). Following Rock Candy, Golden Throat was formed with members Michael Cord, John Dileo, Travis Fullerton (and later Gary Ferguson), Dennis Graue, and Nohelani Cypriano. Prior to disbanding, they released one album in the late ‘70’s, entitled “Golden Throat.”

Golden Throat opened for many headliners at Conroy Bowl and the NBC Arena and played in Waikiki clubs, such as the Sting, Waikiki Beef n’ Grog and Hula’s. Some of the members of Golden Throat continued with prominent careers in music. Former bass player, Michael Cord established Hana Ola Records and has released many out-of-print vintage Hawaiian recordings. Travis Fullerton moved to Hollywood and played drums for Billy Joel, John Lennon, Bonnie Raitt and many other artists. Gary Ferguson toured with Etta James, Cher, Ray Charles, Bette Midler and other top headliners and continues to teach drums in California. Dennis Graue remains in Hawaii and was the musical conductor for Don Ho for many years, recorded and released his own CDs and continues to play keyboards and performs in Waikiki.

Since Golden Throat, as Nohe was recording her first LP, she and Dennis submitted their original song for the Home Grown contest and won for their single, “Lihue,” which launched her career and became her first hit. Her first LP included her hit “Living Without You,” “You Are So Beautiful,” and “Moon of Manakoora” and branded her music as Hawaiian funk. In 1982, Nohe continued to write and released her hit, “In the Evening,” and “Remember.”

During the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, Nohe worked at military clubs, the Beef ‘n’ Grog, Jazz Cellar, Point After, and many other venues throughout the Islands as “Nohelani Cypriano and Hotline.” While performing at Trappers and Esprit, Nohe was the entertainment director and headliner on a cruise ship for 15 years. Nohe continues to record and is a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award winner for “Best Female Vocalist” and “Contemporary Album of the Year.” In the late ‘90’s Nohe joined the Local Divas—a quartet including Loyal Garner, Carole Kai, and Melveen Leed. They performed to sell out crowds in the Islands and traveled to Japan and Hong Kong. Their last concert in memory of Loyal was in 2001, entitled “This One’s For You.”

Nohe has performed throughout the mainland—West Coast Tour, Las Vegas, at the National Mall in Washington, DC, Carnegie Hall, etc. She has also toured Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, and last year visited seven military bases in Iraq and continues to perform and travel to different countries to spread the aloha spirit.

Nohe’s latest CD, “Pulelehua, My Precious Butterfly” is dedicated in loving memory to her mother, Leina’ala Simerson, a long-time and respected Hawaiian entertainer. All of the songs on this CD have a special meaning and connection to her Mom and features many guest artists, such as Fiji, George Kuo, Jeff Peterson, and Sean Na’auao. It includes three songs recorded by her mother prior to her passing and the title track is a song Nohe wrote which touches upon the many butterfly signs from her mom. The music on this CD is a loving testament to all mothers and to anyone who has lost a loved one…it is a celebration of life, love, and soul connections. With this CD, Nohe filmed a TV special entitled “Pulelehua” and it has recently won a Telly Award for recognition in the documentary division.

Nohe’s next release she is currently working on, will be a “Best Of” CD which will include past hits and a few new bonus tracks. This CD should be available this August.

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

From the 70's Nightclub Reunion official doorman....

Two more times including August 14, 2010 and the 70's Nightclub Reunion series will officially come to a close. It's hard to imagine that when this event first took place that it would last this long, but once the ball started rolling it picked up steam and brought out group after group and friends and family just looking to relive the good old days gone by. Two more times, it's official. It's been special, it's been really cool to hear the groups again and see people having a blast. And that's what it's all about. Cool!!!!!




Hey Folks...

It's here!!! Here's a note from "The Boss"...

The Eighth installment of the 70's Nightclub Reunion series will be held on August 14, Saturday at the Ala Moana Hotel from 7:30 PM - 12:30 am! Tickets will go on sale, June 15 Tuesday at 10:00 am. To reserve your tickets, please call Candy Au and her staff at 944-4330. The featured bands for Reunion VIII are; Asian Blend, Glass Candle, Greenwood, Power Point and first time NCR band Golden Throat featuring Nohelani Cypriano! We have two more NCRs planned including this next one before we bid farewell to this event so be sure to get your tickets early!

Mahalo to all of our supporters and especially to the bands that have put a tremendous effort into reuniting to perform for this event over the past six years! It's been one helluva ride!!!! See you all on August 14th! A Hui Ho!

The 70's NCR Team!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

Tower of Power Review by John Berger

Noone covers the local scene like John Berger. From his early days when his hair was blonde, noone is the walking encyclopedia of local happenings like John Berger. Click on the link below for John's cool review of a super cool band. The Tower of Power, still kicking after 42 years in the business and still one of the baddest and coolest bands in the land!!! Keep up the cool stuff John!!!

Link
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Cool words of wisdom from Hawaii's prince of comedy...

Comedy is good for the soul. Laughing is good, laughing is cool, and maybe we just don't laugh enough. Frank DeLima has been Hawaii's prince of comedy for decades and it doesn't look like he's slowing down a bit, and that's good news. From the old Noodle House in Waikiki many, many years ago, to turning current happenings to famous songs, Frank has been a part of Hawaii's culture and will always be remembered as such. Who can forget "What, June Jones, you going leave us now?" to the Kenny Rogers' tune "You Took a Fine Time to Leave Me Lucille" and his most recent "Furlough" to the timeless Harry Belafonte classic "Day-O". But in all his zani-ness and crazi-ness, there are lessons and truths in the comedic things that Frank DeLima has to say. Ah, as the old chinese sage once said, "Laughing at ourselves is medicinal, taking things too seriously will make you ill, but in comedy we learn to deal with the cards life deals you." OK, that wasn't from an old chinese sage, but it sounded good.

At this time of graduation here's something that crossed my path, words of wisdom for the graduate. Pretty cool stuff if you ask me.


Frank's graduation address bears some good thoughts amongst his "local-ness"! Thought this was worth sending on to all of you.


Subject: "To The Class of 2010" By Frank Delima

“EAT RICE”

Ladies and gentlemen of Hawaii’s class of 2010…

Eat rice.

If you only pay attention to one thing I say, pay attention to this:

Rice is the breakfast of champions … the lunch of champions … the dinner of champions

Whole empires, entire dynasties have been built and fortified on its humble food.

One grain, by itself, is nothing. Just an embarrassing sticky white t’ing stuck on your T-shirt after lunch. But many grains together -- that’s greatness! It is the foundation of a Spam musubi, the heart of a thousand plate lunches, the force behind the global kingdom of L&L drive ins

Rice holds the world together. Be a part of the world.

Be a part of the future.

Eat rice.

That said, the rest of what I am going to say is just my opinion.
You will have bad days.
Some day you going be the dog, some days you going be the tree. Wish wasn’t, but that’s the way it is.

Take a lesson from Furlough Fridays. Got a money problem? Don’t take it out on the kids.

And brah … vote! Okay? There’s an election coming up. No excuses. Just do it. This is your country. Own it.

You know the saying: If you have lemons, make lemonade. That’s true. But a bittermelon will never become a honeydew. The moral of the story: If can, can. No can, no can.

Some Hawaii folks have an inferiority complex. Don’t be like that. Consider this: Last year, our state produced BOTH a president AND a saint.

Not all malassadas are made perfectly round. So what. The purpose of a malassada is not to look good, it’s to taste good. Remember that.

Don’t sneeze when you eat saimin.

Take your face out of Facebook, okay? At least for a little while. Real faces are better anyway. So are real books. Read one. Or two.

Buy a newspaper. Only get one left. If you don’t, that one going be gone – along with the Longs ad forever.

Recycle your graduations leis before they become ma-ke. Care homes could all use some extra flower power.

And remember, you live on the most beautiful spot on earth. Malama the ‘aina. Respect the land, respect the water, respect the air, respect all life. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Slow down. Walk more. Drive less. The less you drive, the more you’ll see.

Give at least one can of tuna to the food bank. Don’t strive to be mediocre. Be great. Go for the gusto. If you want to climb a mountain, pick Mauna Kea. Not Red Hill.

Learn to play the ukulele. Memorize the words of Hawai’i Pono’i. Make your own lei. Go to the Merrie Monarch Festival. Tour ‘Iolani Palace. Walk around Punchbowl. Buy local. Eat local. Wear local. Support Hawaiian music.

And no forget, thank our military personnel.

Above all, eat rice.

If you have diabetes, make that brown rice.

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

You're Still A Young Man - Greenwood Live - Reunion V

The opening band, the band that has opened every 70's Nightclub Reunion, Greenwood. Tickets for the 70's Nightclub Reunion VIII go on sale Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Still can't believe this is number VIII and after this one and one more in 2011 the 70's Nightclub Reunion series will say aloha. It's been sweet, it's so been cool!!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

White Light 2009

White Light won't be in the line-up this August 14 but here's a very cool presentation of what this band has brought to the table as one of the staples of the 70's Nightclub Reunion series. Very, very cool video of a cool, cool band!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

70s NCR 6 Slideshow Display

Here's a cool slide show presentation of the 70's Nightclub Reunion VI by Rodney Lee who most recently had his blog Mid-Life Crisis in the Honolulu Advertiser. Rod's slide show extracts the essence of the reunion series. Great job Rod, you're cool in my book!!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

Asian Blend Reasons 70's Reunion Concert 8/1/09

Returning to the 70's Nightclub Reunion VIII will be none other than Asian Blend. Jay sings Reasons as good as ever!!!! Asian Blend, cool band, cool musicians, cool people period!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

NOHELANI CYPRIANO - PLAYIN WITH FIRE

The 70's Nightclub Reunion VIII on Saturday, August 14, 2010 will bring Nohelani Cypriano back to her roots. I remember the first time I had a chance to see the all girl group Rock Candy in a battle of the bands at what is now known as the Neal Blaisdell Arena in 1972 with Nohelani Cypriano (then better known as Rochelle) singing South California Purples and Ain't No Sunshine behind her Fender Rhodes. Rock Candy with Nohelani on vocals placed first amongst nineteen bands, and as they say the rest is history. Nohelani and Golden Throat at the 70's Nightclub Reunion VIII on Saturday, August 14, you gotta be there, it's gonna be so cool!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

Mr. Big "Who's The Guy" Beal

That's entertainment!!! Cool!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

american talent show trombone

I need to take some pointers from this guy. He makes trombone playing look real cool!!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

David Garibaldi Yamaha Signature Snare Drum

When the Tower of Power came to town last week, the man on the throne was none other than the Funkmeister David Garibaldi. As I looked at the Yamaha drum set on the stage of the Blaisdell Concert Hall I couldn't help but lay eyes on the beautiful blue snare drum. It had to be David Garibaldi's Signature Yamaha snare drum. The next day I called my friend Leo Hannigan the owner of Drummer's Warehouse on Keawe Street across from the old CompUSA computer store. "Hey Leo, was that your personal David Garibaldi Signature snare at the Tower concert last night?" "The company doing sound called me to see if by chance I had one, so yeah, it was my snare." Now here's the cool part of the story. About six months ago Leo had asked me how I liked my Yamaha David Garibaldi Signature snare that I had gotten on Ebay. I liked it a lot but Leo hinted that he really liked it as well but didn't have one in his personal collection. Long story short I traded my David Garibaldi Signature snare to Leo. Long story short, David Garibaldi played the very Yamaha signature that I had gotten on Ebay. Cool!!!!!!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

The Tower of Power......Live and in living color....

Tonight, Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the Blaisdell Center Concert Hall marks the return of one of Hawaii's all-time favorite bands, The Tower of Power. I can still remember the first time I had to pleasure to watch Tower of Power open up for the Doobie Brothers at the Blaisdell Arena many, many, many cool tropical nights ago. The band was unbelievable then and has continued to put forth music as only The Tower of Power can. With core original members Emilio Castillo, Doc Kupka, David Garibaldi, Rocco Prestia at the helm along with the return of TOP veteran Mick Gillette, it should indeed be a splendid cool tropical night in paradise!!!!!! I'm so looking forward to seeing and hearing The Tower of Power again, I know it's gonna be beyond cool!!!!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

Saturday, August 14, 2010

The 70's Nightclub Reunion VIII at the Ala Moana Hotel will feature Greenwood, Asian Blend, Glass Candle, Power Point and Golden Throat. Tickets will go on sale June 15, 2010. The second to the last 70's Nightclub Reunion, this will be a night to remember. Cool!!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @

Am I psychic or what?

Just about two years ago on a short list of bands that had played the Waikiki Nightclub Circuit in the 70's but hadn't yet appeared in the 70's Nightclub Reunion series was the band Golden Throat. Well, we can now scratch that band off that short list as it is now definitely official, that Nohelani Cypriano & Dennis Graue, two talented musicians/vocalists who have become icons in the Hawaii music scene, will have a reunion along with several of the members from the band that could be found playing six nights a week in Waikiki at places such as Spencecliff's Beef N' Grog. Mark Saturday night, August 14, 2010 on your calender as the 70's Nightclub Reunion VIII at the Ala Moana Hotel will be the place to be. So now that Golden Throat is crossed off the short list can we say the Kasuals in the final 70's Nightclub Reunion event in 2011? Now that would be really, really cool!!!!

-posted by Cool Tropical Jazz LLC @