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Live a Little! |
The Hawaiian Style Band
In the early '90s, Hawaiian Style Band, led by Bryan Kessler and Wade Cambern, redefined contemporary Hawaiian music. They offered a fresh musical perspective on local culture with original compositions about living Hawaiian style—about island romance, talking story, 'ohana, and sovereignty. Their interpretation of Hawaiian language songs reacquainted music fans with these important compositions.The multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning band was conceptualized as a revolving band, a collaboration of more than fifty musicians over the course of its three albums: Vanishing Treasures, Rhythm of the Ocean, and 'Ohana. Participants included Hawaiian music notables Israel Kamakawiwa'ole; Bla, Cyril, and Martin Pahinui; Fiji; Teresa Bright; the Ka'au Crater Boys; Del Beazley, and Robi Kahakalau.
For the 25th anniversary celebration of Vanishing Treasures, Robi joins Bryan and Wade in delivering the distinctive vocal harmony of Hawaiian Style Band. Robi has since released five solo albums, earning her multiple Hoku awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year. Her collaborative project with Sean Na'auao was among the finalists for a Grammy Award. Robi has appeared as featured guest vocalist more often than any Hawaiian recording artist and has toured and performed with legends like Keali'i Reichel, the Ka'au Crater Boys, Hapa, Willy K, Henry Kapono, and the Makaha Sons, with whom she was blessed with not one, but two performances at Carnegie Hall. No doubt, Sistah Robi has held her spot as one of Hawaii's most recognized voices for the past two decades.
Bryan Kessler and Wade Cambern wrote and produced Hawaiian Style Band's first three albums. Bryan has gone on to produce and perform on twelve albums in Japan and Hawaii. He contributed a selection to the 2005 compilation album Slack Key Volume 2 which went on to win Hawaii's first Grammy Award. As an active guitarist, he's toured with Na Leo, Jake Shimabukuro, Hawaii Pops, and Lion King, as well other artists from pop to jazz. Bryan has developed a playing style that reflects both the Hawaiian Islands and the urban sound of Philadelphia, his homeland.
While immediately recognizable as Robi's duet partner in "Love and Honesty," Wade Cambern has enjoyed a rich career as composer and lyricist of beloved songs such as "Let's Talk Story," "Rhythm of the Ocean," "Live A Little," and "Love and Honesty." Wade Cambern has collaborated with many of Hawaii's iconic musical figures, including Israel Kamakawiwo'ole with whom he and Bryan cowrote "Living In A Sovereign Land." He has also arranged new renditions of Hawaiian standards such as "No Ke Ano Ahiahi," "Kaimana Hila," and "Wahine 'Ilikea." The sounds and themes of life in Hawaii profoundly influenced Wade's musical identity in his solo album A Blue Canoe and the 2014 Hoku-nominated Hawaiian Style Band album Hanau Hou, co-produced with Garin Poliahu.
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of their first hit album, Vanishing Treasures, Bryan, Wade, and Robi are thrilled to be joined by guitarist and vocalist Zanuck Lindsey, keyboardist Michael Grande, bass guitarist Randy Aloya, and drummer Garin Poliahu, together comprising Hawaiian Style Band of 2017.
HSB 2.0
With the latest adjustments to personnel, the band brings a whole new energy and complexity to its music.
Stayed tuned here for news of the next appearances and new music releases.