Kanekoa
Ukulele-powered Hawaiian Jam-rock direct from Hawaii
“The Hawaiian Grateful Dead” —Bill Kreutzmann, The Grateful Dead
Why you should see this show…
Kanekoa has taken the ‘ukulele sound into new territory. The band continues to surprise and delight audiences, pushing the envelope of this 4-string instrument in a jam band with eclectic roots and a sound that embraces flavors of reggae, blues, funk, jazz and island music. Vince Esquire’s fluid, liquid runs on the ‘ukulele sometimes recall Jerry Garcia’s tonal lyricism.
“These guys scare me, they are that good” —David Hidalgo, Los Lobos
“The band is amazing…stepping out of the traditional ‘ukulele approach” —Mick Fleetwood, Fleetwood Mac
“Kanekoa takes the ‘ukulele and uke-related music to another place…Vince has a much different and funkier pocket than any other uke player I’ve heard or have played with.” — James “Hutch” Hutchinson, Bass Player for Bonnie Raitt’s band
Kanekoa Bio
Kaulana Kanekoa, Vocals + Rhythm Ukulele
Kaulana first learned the violin, then switched to trumpet. Inspired by the beauty of Hawaiian slack-key music, he eventually turned to guitar. “I loved ki ho‘alu,” Kaulana says, using the Hawaiian phrase for the slack-key style. “My dad was a great slack-key player. “Eventually I started playing the uke all the time.” To me, it’s yoga—a release. Absorbing a diverse range of influences, from Gabby Pahinui and Peter Moon (of Sunday Manoa fame) to Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley, Kaulana began composing his own songs. “Then I got together with these two guys, and it grew from there.”
Vince Esquire, Lead Ukulele + Backing Vocals
Vince was exposed to music at an early age by his father, he picked up the uke at seven and by 15 was blazing on guitar. Vince was so good on guitar that he was invited to play with the Allman Brothers Band in New York by mentor Gregg Allman as well as tour and record with Gregg Allman. “I started on ‘ukulele and I transmitted that to the guitar, and it evolved, and then I went back to the ‘ukulele,” Esquire says.
“Uncle” Don Lopez, U-Bass + Backing Vocals + Jokes
Uncle Don Lopez has been a staple on the Maui music scene anchoring Hawaiian music legend Willie K on bass for years. One unforgettable time he even ended up on stage playing with Prince and the New Power Generation. Don also played and toured with Vince’s blues band for many years, which created a musical bond between the two. Don is a virtuoso on the bass and can play anything. His fretless Kala U-Bass adds a dynamic groove to the ukes rounding out the Kanekoa sound.
Lopaka Colon Jr, Percussion
Lopaka Colón Jr. is an established percussionist and multi “Na Hoku” award winner (Hawai‘i’s “Grammy”). In the late ’90s, he found musical success with the band Pure Heart, which also launched Jake Shimabukuro’s career – the band is ranked one of Hawai‘i’s top 50 musical groups of all time. The group later evolved into Colón, winning Hawai‘i’s Favorite Entertainers of the Year for 2 years in a row. His versatility and superb talent have made him a key player with several prominent musicians, including Hawaiian legends Henry Kapono and the late Willie K, such artists as Michael McDonald, and currently performs as percussionist in Mick Fleetwood’s “House of Rumours” Band.
Dining Option
Purchase of a ticket to a show in the Supper Club ensures you will have a seat for the concert. However, if you intend to dine before or during the performance, you also need to make a dining reservation. To make a dining reservation, click here or call our Box Office at (216) 242-1250. Click here to see the menu.
If you are attending a concert in the Supper Club with a party of two or more, please have one person make a reservation for the whole group to ensure you are seated together. If you are attending with a party of eight or more, you must call the Box Office to make your reservation at (216) 242-1250.
To better serve all our customers, we require that you arrive on time for your dining reservation. Arriving more than 15 minutes after your reserved time will result in the cancellation of your reservation. You will be seated for the concert, but you may be put on a waiting list for dining.
