Artists 2015

Daniel Ho

Daniel Ho is an accomplished composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, sound engineer, author, and record company owner. He is the winner of six GRAMMY Awards, two Golden Melody Awards (Taiwan), nine Hawaii Music Awards, and three Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaii). A Honolulu native, he began playing ‘ukulele at an early age, then moved on to classical guitar, piano, bass, drums, and voice. He studied composing, arranging, and film scoring at the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles; led the national airplay and Billboard chart-topping contemporary jazz band Kilauea; and formed his own record company in 1998. Since then, Daniel Ho Creations has released more than 100 albums and published over a dozen music books. Daniel’s music has been featured on Hawaii Five-O, The Descendants, and Soul Surfer, and he sang the Hawaiian-language cover of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U in the movie, Forgetting Sarah Marshall. His solo ‘ukulele CD, Polani (Pure), was the first ‘ukulele album in music history to receive a GRAMMY nomination. The following year, his Hawaiian piano CD, E Kahe Malie (Flowing Gently), was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Pop Instrumental Album. Daniel recently received his fourteenth GRAMMY nomination for the album Our World In Song. As a performer, clinician, and author, his sincere and enthusiastic style inspires a love of music and creativity in everyone.

Daniel will be performing selections from his newest CD, Aukahi (Flowing Harmony), with his ‘ukulele trio at the San Diego Ukulele Festival. Featuring Steve Billman on the Ohana Bass ‘Ukulele and Randy Drake on Bongolele and drums, these studio musicians have been performing and recording together for over two decades (since their days as the contemporary jazz group Kilauea). Their performance, which expands the boundaries of ‘ukulele repertoire, is truly something to behold.

Taimane Gardner

Taimane picked up her first ukulele at the age of five and began her future in performing. Later, while playing on the streets of Waikiki with beach boys backing her up, Taimane was discovered by legendary Hawaiian crooner Don Ho, and she soon became a featured performer in his show. From there her popularity grew. Taimane has performed in Las Vegas, California, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Samoa. She has played privately for John Travolta, Steven Seagal, George Clooney, Toyota, Pepsi, IBM and at international film festivals, and she has opened for Chicago, Jimmy Buffett, Konishiki, Cecilio and Kapono, Na Leo and Chris Isaak.

Taimane’s playing style is unique. She has the ability to morph genres—from classical to classic rock to flamenco—always without missing a beat, literally. Taimane also writes her own songs that she inserts into her sets. Her performances are elegant and energetic, and her stage presence is simultaneously overwhelming and captivating, leaving her audiences wanting more.

Clay Colton Band

While opening for the Zac Brown Band and Little Texas, placing 3rd in Kenny Chesney’s “Next Big Star” Competition, and winning Viejas Casino’s $10,000 Big Country Showdown, the Clay Colton Band has made a respected name for itself in the country, rock, and Irish music community of San Diego. Throughout their experiences of performing up to 200 shows a year for over a decade in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, the band has branded their own sound that is infused with the heart of American culture. Their second studio album, “Rustic,” has been featured on numerous country rock radio stations while their live shows have captivated audiences with a diverse blend of classic, southern, and modern rock covers, folk and americana favorites, and rowdy country and Irish tunes.

Erick Macek

2013’s Diesel Indie Music Series winner Erick Macek, has been compared to some of the best in the business, many of whom he has performed with, including Jason Mraz, David Gray, Gavin DeGraw, G Love and more.

Erick’s professional history includes television appearances on NBC’s “The Voice” and several invitations to perform at the Sundance Film Festival, as well as multiple accolades, including four “Best Live Artist” awards, four “Best Song” nominations, an overall Grand Prize winner at the Musicpalooza national competion and “Best Male Vocalist of the Year” winner at the Los Angeles Music Awards.

A Native of Pennsylvania, Macek is a first generation Slovak-American who has made Los Angeles his home.

Everett Coast

Everett Coast, the acoustic guitar driven duo of woven voices and fused songwriting, was founded in early 2011 by singer-songwriters Danny Byrneand Josh Misko. They were introduced by their instructor, mentor, and now close friend, Anika Paris (Warner Chappell / Universal), while attending Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. The two California natives bonded quickly becoming fast friends, bandmates and eventually roommates.

Everett Coast writes and produces all their own original material as well as co-writes across a wide variety of music genres from pop and hip-hop to folk and country. Influenced by such artists as John Mayer, Jason Mraz, The Avett Brothersand Mumford and Sons, Everett Coast creates with the intention to not only stay

In July of 2013, Everett Coast self-produced, recorded, and released their debut 4-song EP Hey, Hey, California (available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, etc.). From this EP they independently secured Everett Coast Radio on Pandora Internet Radio, and three sync licensing deals featuring their songs “Hey, Hey, California” & “Passing Through” in a new independent film Monumental, and “Hey, Hey, California” in a new reality T.V. series Barflies. Additionally, Everett Coast recently wrote & produced the music for Oregon State University’s The Campaign For OSU Thanks Donors Like You commercial.

Ukulenny

Lenny San Jose, aka Ukulenny, is a performer and educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Born and raised in San Diego, he rocked his guitar to the sounds of Green Day, Weezer, and Sublime at a young age. It wasn’t until graduating with a music degree from UC Berkeley in 2008 that he decided to start playing ukulele, and falling in love with the instrument, began teaching and posting covers on YouTube. His audience today currently includes over 40,000 subscribers worldwide. Aside from his solo career, he also plays with a jazz duo dubbed The Bob and Lenny Show, and with Cynthia Lin and the Blue Moon All Stars. By day, he teaches instrumental music full-time in the Berkeley Unified School District, including middle school orchestra, elementary flute, clarinet, violin, guitar, and of course, ukulele.

Austin Flynn (Krankthat22/UkeDood)

It all started when I picked up my college roommate’s Ukulele, Freshman year at Cal State University Long Beach. After a few difficult weeks of out of pitch singing and uncoordinated strumming, I started to grasp the 4 stringed instrument. Realizing that I couldn’t keep up with a lot of the lessons on YouTube, as I have no musical background, so I decided to make my own YouTube Channel! The goal was simple, make simple lessons, for songs so that anyone could understand if they had a Uke in hand. I posted my first video not thinking a soul would see it. Sure enough after a few days I check back and had 217 views, and 17 subscribers. I was famous!… kind of. Those 17 subscribers were enough motivation for me to post what is now over 100 videos (tutorials and covers), and get to teach people all over the world how much fun this little instrument can be. Today the channel has reached over 31,000 subscribers and I couldn’t be happier. It is a great community and a lot of fun to be a part of. Uke on!

Brandon Cruz

Brandon learned to play the ukulele at the age of 10. His grandparents gave him his first ukulele and taught him a few chords. One summer, While at the aloha Stadium swap, He bought an album of a group called Ka’au Crater Boys. Troy Fernandez was the ukulele player of the group. He did some amazing things on the ukulele. Brandon taught himself how to play “Tropical Hawaiian Day”, which was the title song of the album. Troy Fernandez was a major influence. And is the reason why he plays ukulele to this day. Other artists that influenced Him are Herb Ohta Jr. and Jake Shimabukuro, and many more.

Professionally, Brandon has played with local groups from all around San Diego and now he has been doing a solo show for the past 4 or 5 years. He has performed for corporate events, weddings, private parties and The Pacific Islander Festival and recently performed at the Ho’olaule’a, Hawaiian Festival at De Anza Cove, in Mission Bay.

Alison Marae

San Diego songwriter, vocalist and ukulele artist Alison Marae’s music is rooted in early 20th century jazz, blues and folk. Her debut album, My Heart Can’t Take It, an acoustic mix of originals and vintage jazz standards, was nominated for a 2014 San Diego Music Award (available on Itunes and Amazon). She has performed locally at the Adams Avenue Street Fair, The San Diego Music Thing, Humphrey’s by the Bay, Java Joe’s, Adams Ave Unplugged, among others. She performs regularly with musician Wil Forbis in the early jazz duo, Birdy and the Bow Tie and their original children’s music duo, Little Catbird. She has recently started a community based ukulele strumming group, The Jumping Flea Strummers, that is open to all levels of ukulele strummers who enjoy vintage music from the 1920′s though the 1940′s. She is planning her first European music tour to Gibralter, Spain and France in the Fall of 2015. www.AlisonMarae.com

“Modern day music that harkens back to yesteryear, circa the 1920’s through the late 1950’s, jazzy as well as beautifully played and sung. Centered around Marae’s close mic’d voice and ukulele…it’s Marae’s voice that is the star attraction here. There is a melancholy air to the material here, with the title track in particular approaching torch song territory.” Bart Mendoza/San Diego Troubadour.

Rod Salaysay

I was introduced to the ukulele when a friend of mine gave me a souvenir ukulele display item 5 yrs ago. Felt so intrigued that I went to get myself a beginner uke the next day.

An instant love affair developed immediately, as i didn’t put it down for 4 hrs the first time I got it. What a fun little noble instrument.

I am an ICU nurse by profession and currently work at a hospital trauma unit. My work environment is oftentimes challenging, stressful and fast paced. After learning to play a few tunes on my uke, I decided to bring it to work one day and played for my patient who used to live in Hawaii. That was an eye opener for me. I can’t describe how good it felt to share music and how it turned into a positive experence for the patients and families alike.

This little instrument has opened the doors for me to be involved with a few fundraising activities last year. I was also invited and played at the La Jolla Arts and Wine festival as well as the recent San Diego Ukulele Fest. Finally, it also helped me to touch people’s hearts through music, as I was given a chance to play for the celebration of life for a family in Texas.

I have dedicated the last five years in understanding and knowing how to play this instrument to the best of my ability and style.., and this time around, I am excited to share my love for this instrument with you. Happy strumming…! Mahalo nui loa.

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