Slack key artist Sunday at Sangria
Ask any Hawaiian who grew up in a native island family to choose among creature comforts of electricity, running water and music, and their answer will be an unastonishing “music.” Hawaiian babies teethe on ukeleles and makuakane sing their keiki to sleep in leo ki’eki’a (falsetto) tones soothing to children of all ages.
Such has been the life of Ledward (Led) Kaapana who shares his voice and his slack key guitar-playing at Sangria, Hermosa Beach, Sunday evening. He’ll be simple to find as you stroll the Pier: Kaapana is the easy-going, finger-picking performer with kolohe (rascal) charm.
Having performed for over 40 years, this multiple Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter and world traveler credits his simple upbringing on the Big Island (Hawaii) for his love of music and his eventual virtuosity. While engaging in a phone interview this week, Kaapana strummed his guitar and assured the children, family and neighbors surrounding him in his Oahu home that he’d “be right back.
“I’m practicing for the concert,” Kaapana laughed. Indeed, it sounded more like he was amidst an impromptu backyard party, and such is the feeling he hopes to convey at Sangria.
His earliest recollections are of family gatherings where “we just entertained ourselves. We didn’t have electricity, no television, not much radio. You could go to any house and everybody was playing music, my mama and daddy, aunties and uncles. People played in shifts, taking over when somebody went to sleep. When you woke up, the music was still playing,” said Kaapana.
His regular gig on Oahu is Sunday nights at Kona Brewing Company in Hawaii Kai (just outside of Honolulu). He said he’d be sending in a sub this week – most likely a cuz – so he can come play on the mainland, a trip he makes “about five times a year.” If the place was situated along PCH in Redondo, it could be mistaken on the outside for a TGIFridays, though once inside, it’s all island with a local clientele. Kaapana is going for the same vibe at Sangria.
Simply stated, slack key is just an alternate tuning of the guitar. The open strings are tuned to a major chord, much like the tuning of an ukulele. When Mexican cowboys (vaqueros) were imported to the islands to herd cattle in the 19th century, they brought their guitars. When the cowboys finished their job and returned to the mainland, they left their guitars behind. Not knowing how to tune the instruments, the Hawaiians played with the tuning pegs until they achieved what they thought to be a pleasant sound. Such was the birth of slack key.
This Hawaiian style of tuning and finger picking has been successfully introduced to the South Bay by musician/promoter Mitchell Chang with his yearly weekend production of the Southern California Slack Key Festival and marketplace at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Chang is also responsible for the Wire and Wood Acoustic Series, of which Kaapana is a part.
“We had Led at this year’s festival, but he was only onstage about 15 minutes,” said Chang. “This (Sangria) concert will give listeners a few sets.”
Wire and Wood started these one-night performances in April, according to Chang. Among the artists featured thus far have been Flamenco guitarist Adam del Monte, slack key musician Jim “Kimo” West, surf music legends the Duo Tones, and others.
Chang said the series is “all things guitar,” not just slack key, though his Hawaiian upbringing has led to his penchant for this style. Presently, the concerts happen about once a month, though Chang hopes that, in the near future, the events will be weekly.
“We’re still looking for a permanent home,” he said. To date, various South Bay venues have been employed by Wire and Wood. He has high hopes for Sangria.
“It’s a perfect spot; less than 100 seats. I hope we can sell out,” said Chang. “It’s important to have a home so that when people see the name ‘Wire and Wood,’ they’ll know they can hear quality guitar music, regardless of the style. They may not know the names of every performer, but they’ll know the music will be good.”
Ledward Kaapana. Sunday, Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m., Sangria, 68 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Ticketes, $20, $25 and $28, available at http://kalakoa.tix.com/ or click on Wire and Wood at www.kalakoa.com. ER
