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Maui Beat

Dream Gig

It's a dream gig for tenor singer James Price. A former Mauian now living in New York, Price has returned to the island he loves to star in the biggest theater production ever presented here.He will perform the leading role of Jean Valjean, in Maui Academy of Performing Art's production of the musical "Les Miserables" that opens on Friday for a six-show run at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater."It's great to be back in the most beautiful place on earth," says Price. "It's a dream role for anybody. Jean Valjean is one of those roles you can't do too early. You have to ...

Kings of Spade

We can expect a memorable evening when virtuoso musicians guitarist Joe Caro, bassist James "Hutch" Hutchinson and drummer Steve Gadd combine their talents for the "Paia Jam" benefit on Tuesday at Charley's Restaurant & Saloon, with keyboardist Gene Argel sitting in on the Hammond B3.Proceeds from the evening will benefit the widow of veteran blues musician and Mana'o Radio DJ Bob Jones, who recently passed away.Gadd has been hailed as one of the world's greatest drummers. For more than 40 years, he's worked with many legends including Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra, ...

Earth, Wind & Fire

In the early 1970s, Earth, Wind & Fire's mastermind, Maurice White, had a vision of creating a new, global sound with a mystical root that would inspire people."Cosmic consciousness is the key component of our work," he explained in an interview. "Being joyful and positive was the whole objective of our group. I wanted to do something that hadn't been done before. We were coming out of a decade of experimentation, mind expansion and cosmic awareness, and I wanted our music to convey messages of universal love and harmony without force-feeding listeners spiritual content."A former ...

Palani Vaughan

When King David Kalakaua became the first monarch in history to travel around the world in 1881, arriving back at Honolulu Harbor, he gave a rather somber address known as "Ka Momi" ("The Pearl"), to his people.That's because during his travels, two world leaders had been assassinated, U.S. President James Garfield and Czar Nikolas of Russia."I have traveled over many lands and distant seas, to India far and China renowned," King Kalakaua began. "I have touched the shores of Africa and the boundaries of Europe, and I have met the great ones of all the lands. As I stood at the side of ...

Remembering Roy Orbison

"You Got It! A Salute to Roy Orbison," now running at the Maui Theater, opens with the voice of the legendary musician's oldest son praising the very talented star of the new tribute show."In my opinion there is only one singer in the world who can do justice to my father's memory," announces Wesley Orbison. "And that's John Stephan."Since his days as a child growing up in Australia, Stephan has nurtured a love for the music of the late American icon."I grew up loving his music," he explains. "He was especially huge in Australia. My mother was a singer and I grew up with great music ...

Winning Combo

For the last couple of years, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center has celebrated the annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards by presenting concerts featuring some of the winners. For the third annual Na Hoku Hou concert on Saturday, the MACC will present a great medley of award-winning entertainers including Melveen Leed, Amy Hanaiali'i, Na Hoa, Mana'o Company, and Kamakakehau Fernandez.The traditional Hawaiian music trio Na Hoa, featuring Ikaika Blackburn, Halehaku Seabury and Keoni Souza, was the big winner at the May 25 awards ceremony. Their acclaimed, self-titled debut album earned them ...