Owana Salazar - Singer, Slack Key & Steel Guitarist


Hula Jazz CD     

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Hula Jazz

2004

2005 Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winner:
• Jazz Album of the Year

Also nominated for:
• Album Of The Year
• Song Of The Year ("Hula Jazz")
• Female Vocalist of the Year
• Favorite Entertainer of the Year
• Engineering

Click song links to read the lyrics and translations.
Click the <|)) icon to listen to MP3 samples...

  1. Hula Jazz    <|))
  2. Moaniani    <|))
  3. Sadie    <|))
  4. A Song of Old Hawai`i    <|))
  5. Sand    <|))
  6. E Mau    <|))
  7. Lei Lokelani    <|))
  8. Pretty Red Hibiscus    <|))
  9. I'll Weave a Lei of Stars for You    <|))
  10. Night and Day    <|))
  11. Kamalani o Keaukaha    <|))
  12. Kainoa    <|))
  13. Kaulana o Hilo Hanakahi    <|))

"Hula Jazz" Liner Notes

Jazz, in the realm of music is the exemplification of an idealized democratic culture for it allows for unbridled, creative participation and infusion. Early Hawaiian musicians recognized the freedom of this turn-of-the century musical phenomenon. William Ellis, Sonny Cunha, Sol Ho'opii and Johnny Noble the "Hawaiian Jazz King" were pioneers in blending Hawaiian music with the syncopated rhythms of jazz. Notable island women of song also performed recorded and embraced the influences of jazz. Irmgard Farden Aluli early in her career, Ethel Azama recognized as Hawai`i's first lady of jazz and the Lady of Love, Loyal Garner. In the '60's the influences of Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman and Django Reinhardt became evident in the recordings of slack key icon, Gabby Pahinui.

Owana Salazar brings together these same elements in Hula Jazz, a tantalizing taste of two cultures in a testament of musical cohesion. Owana's royal Hawaiian heritage provided her a place in the genre of traditional Hawaiian music but it is her awareness of music's on-going evolution of expression that is the genesis of "Hula Jazz."

Selection of songs for the recording entailed length consideration and runs the gamut from Charles E. King to Cole Porter. The title cut is an original Owana Salazar composition. Hula Jazz is a kaleidoscope of musical styling from "Lei Lokelani" which I.D's Owana's Hawaiian roots to sultry bossa nova, swing jazz combos, trips to Latin sambas, blues and of course Hawaiian classics, with an added groove. Vocally Owana's diversity may surprise you for the ornaments she applies stray from familiar Hawaiian mele, but that's the jazz of it. Her subtle vocal movement slides in unison with the classic instruments employed in a jazz combo.

Hula Jazz captures the many moods of Hawaii's music in a vibrant display of the rhythms of New Orleans. As the first native Hawaiian artist invited to perform at the prestigious 2004 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Owana Mahealani-rose Salazar steps into another spotlight on a continuous journey of discovery.

Keaumiki Akui



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