Led Ka’apana Live at SOhO!

A master of the slack key guitar, Led Ka’apana has been one of Hawaii’s most influential musicians for four decades. His mastery of stringed instruments, his exceptional picking style on slack key guitar and ‘ukulele, and his extraordinary baritone to leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) vocal range, have made him a musical legend. With easy-going style and kolohe (rascal) charm, he has built a loyal corps of “Led Heads” from Brussels to his birthplace on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. 

 

In 2011, he was honored with an NEA National Heritage Fellowship for his artistic excellence and his contributions to our nation’s traditional arts heritage. Recognition by his peers earned Led four Grammy nominations in his own right and three wins on slack key compilations. He has won multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano (Hawai‘i’s “Grammy”) awards, including Favorite Entertainer of the Year in 2009.

 

It was at these family gatherings that Led learned to play in the old style, watching, listening, then imitating. Chief among his teachers were his mother, Mama Tina Kaapana, and his uncle Fred Punahoa.  “Even today when I play, I still picture all the `ohana (family) getting together and sharing their songs and their aloha.” As teenagers, Led and his twin brother Ned and cousin Dennis Pavao formed the Hui Ohana, one of the hottest groups of the 70s and 80s and now legendary among Hawaiian musicians. The 70s saw the blossoming of the Hawaiian Renaissance, and Hui Ohana was a key part of that return to traditional Hawaiian culture and music. Young Hawaii Plays Old Hawaii, the title of their first recording, was also their statement of purpose.The group produced 14 best-selling albums and made countless hundreds of live appearances, proudly sharing Kalapana’s musical traditions.

 

Led later formed another trio, Ikona, releasing 6 albums with that group, including Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, Jus’ Press. He has also released a number of solo albums, including two Na Hoku Hanohano Instrumental Album of the Year winners, Lima Wela and Black Sand. Ki Ho`alu, Hawaiian Slack Key,  Grandmaster Slack Key and Force of Nature (with Mike Kaawa) received Grammy nominations.