Remembering a Mother and Son, Hawaiian Legends of Music and Song It’s not just talent, accolades and awards, big, important associations, or an impressive legacy that make an artist. It’s how you treat people, connect and give of yourself to your muse and audience, the tender, spirited ways you touched the keys in the songs […]
A Day of Slack Key The Labor Unions of Hawaii will sponsor a Labor Day Unity Concert at the Waikiki Shell on Sun., Aug. 31, from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sponsored by the Musicians Performance Trust Fund and Local 677, slack key guitar master George Kuo and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders […]
As the year draws to a close, as I reflect on the last year, I’m choosing to look at the successes, the good moments, the things that have improved for our musicians, the things that have made our corner of the world a little better. As musicians, we strive to improve, but sometimes, it’s a […]
The mission of the Music Performance Trust Fund is to provide admission-free, live, quality music events by professional musicians to schools, the senior population, and general public. Established in 1948 by a landmark labor action between the American Federation of Musicians and major recording companies of the day, royalties from record sales and, more recently, […]
IN MEMORIAM Gabe Baltazar, November 1, 1929 – June 12, 2022 Goodbye to Gabe Gabe was first and foremost a jazz musician who played with the best. He was respected and loved by so many of his legendary buddies from the Kenton band and his Hollywood recording studio days. A true humble genius, he was […]
IMPORTANT NEWS: MPTF in Action Established in 1948 through a landmark collective bargaining agreement between the American Federation of Musicians and major recording companies, the Musicians’ Performance Trust Fund annually presents thousands of admission-free musical events to the community. Usually requiring a 50 percent matching contribution from a sponsor, during the pandemic, MPTF has funded, […]
Member Spotlight: Noel Okimoto “Always learning,” Hoku-winning drummer locks in on his own fascinating, artful rhythm Noel Okimoto is a popular, versatile, in-demand drummer and award-winning jazz recording artist. His work on a self-titled, classical/jazz debut with Megan Bledsoe Ward’s Pacific Harp Project garnered a 2016 Na Hoku Hanohano Award (Hawaii’s Grammys) for “Instrumental Album […]