Kanekoa - 'ukulele jamband
Island Contemporary - 3 'Ukuleles plus percussion
Photos: John Henry, courtesy Ukulele Magazine
Kanekoa
‘Ukulele-powered Hawaiian jam rock
“The Hawaiian Grateful Dead” —Bill Kreutzmann, The Grateful Dead
“These guys scare me, they are that good” —David Hidalgo, Los Lobos
“The band is amazing…stepping out of the traditional ‘ukulele approach” —Mick Fleetwood, Fleetwood Mac
Kanekoa is one of Hawaii’s premier live music experiences. Maui’s Nā Hōkū Hanohano (Hawai’i’s “Grammy”) Award-winning band Kanekoa fuses eclectic roots with flavors of reggae, blues, funk, jazz, Hawaiian, and island music with jamband energy. Playing ’ukulele-powered “Hawaiian jam-rock” and pushing the envelope of Hawai‘i’s joyful 4-string instrument, soulful singer Kaulana Kanekoa on rhythm uke, phenom Vince Esquire on lead ‘ukulele, and master of the U-Bass Don Lopez, are joined by Travis Rice on cajon to round out their unique sound. Original songs mix with jamband interpretations that continue to surprise and delight audiences and fans.
“Kanekoa takes the ‘ukulele and uke-related music to another place…Vince has a much different and funkier pocket than any other uke player I’ve heard or have played with.”
— James “Hutch” Hutchinson, Bass Player for Bonnie Raitt’s band
Powered by electric ‘ukuleles and driving rhythms, these ‘ukulele masters draw inspiration from the Hawaiian roots of this instrument along with their love of multiple music genres, from traditional Hawaiian to 80’s Pop to Jamband Blues, creating a sound unmistakably their own. Kanekoa has been celebrated on the cover and feature article of Ukulele Magazine as “Hawaiian Trailblazers.”
Live audiences rave over their soulful originals and insightful covers interpreted with pure originality. Kanekoa takes the ‘ukulele into new territory.
To hear this band, and the music that comes from their four strings…is to love this band.
https://www.kanekoasounds.com
Tour Schedule
2025
Sun April 13, 2025 – Club Passim, Cambridge MA
5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Ticket Link
Plus ‘Ukulele Workshop, Mon April 14, 2025
Sat, Apr 19, 2025 – Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Wilmington NC
7:30 PM
Ticket Link
Tues May 6, 2025 – Private Event, Wailea HI
Past Tour Dates
2025
Sun, Jan 26, 2025 – The Siren, Morro Bay CA
Sun, Feb 2, 2025 – Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley CA
2024
Wed, Aug 28, 2024 – Town and Country Hotel, San Diego CA
WAA Showcase
Fri, July 19, 2024, Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley CA
Sun, July 21, 2024, Sierra Arts Gallery ANNEX, Reno NV
Artown Artists Meet Audiences – Songwriting Workshop
Sun, July 21, 2024, Brasserie St James, Reno NV
Presented by Artown
Fri, May 24, 2024, Windmill Library, Las Vegas, Clark County Library District, Las Vegas NV
Sat May 25, 2024, West Charleston Library, Las Vegas, Clark County Library District, Las Vegas NV
2023
Fri July 7, 2023, The Crest (SBL Entertainment), Sacramento CA
Wed April 19, 2023, Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach CA
Tue April 18, 2023, The Venice West, Venice CA
Sat April 15, 2023, The Siren, Morro Bay CA
Tue March 28, 2023, The Ark, Ann Arbor MI
Sun Mar 26, 2023, Music Box Cleveland, Cleveland OH
Fri Mar 24, 2023, Hill Country, New York NY
Thu Mar 23, 2023, The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Washington DC
Tue Mar 21, 2023, The Triple Door, Seattle WA
Mon Mar 20, 2023, Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland OR
2022
Sun Nov 13, 2022, Kodiak Arts Council, Kodiak AK
Fri Nov 11, 2022, Anchorage Concert Association, Anchorage AK
Mon Nov 7, 2022, Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland OR
Sun Nov 6, 2022, Tractor Tavern, Seattle WA
Fri Nov 4, 2022, Humboldt Brews, Arcata CA
Thu Nov 3, 2022, Volcanic Theatre Pub, Bend OR
Fri Oct 21, 2022, Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley CA
Thu Oct 20, 2022, The Sofia (SBL Entertainment), Sacramento CA
Wed Oct 19, 2022, Felton Music Hall, Felton CA
Tue Oct 18, 2022, The Siren, Morro Bay CA
Mon Oct 17, 2022, SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara CA
Sat Oct 15, 2022, Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad CA
Thu June 20, 2022, Davis Park (Anchorage Concert Assoc), Anchorage AK
Kanekoa at Millennium Stage, The Kennedy Center
Hands of the True (original)