Kanekoa

• Hawaiian
• Jam band

Kanekoa is one of Hawaii’s premier live music experiences. Sailing in on a wave of multi-layered sound, Maui’s Nā Hōkū Hanohano (Hawai’i’s “Grammy”) Award-winning band Kanekoa has become an audience favorite. Powered by electric ‘ukuleles and driving rhythms, these ‘ukulele masters draw inspiration from the Hawaiian roots of this instrument and erupt with jam-band energy to create a unique sound they call “Hawaiian jam-rock”. Kanekoa has featured on the cover of Ukulele Magazine as “Hawaiian Trailblazers.”

For the past 25 years, live audiences have raved over their soulful originals and insightful covers interpreted with pure originality. Kanekoa is right at home playing any genre from traditional Hawaiian to 80’s Pop to Jamband Blues. Led by 3 ‘ukuleles — soulful singer/rhythm ‘ukulele player Kaulana Kanekoa, ‘ukulele phenomenon Vince Esquire, and U-bass player Uncle Don Lopez, Kanekoa adds drums and percussion to fill out the sound that has audiences up and dancing.

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. Esquire’s fluid, liquid runs on the ‘ukulele sometimes recall Jerry Garcia’s tonal lyricism.

— To hear this band, and the music that comes from their four strings…is to love this band.