Ukulele legend Bill Tapia is unstoppable. After a big 97th birthday party on New Years Day, he's hitting the road in support of his new CD "Duke of Uke", including three dates in Northern California, his home for many years. Following decades of quiet obscurity, this 'ukulele and jazz pioneer is enjoying his highest profile ever. Since the release of his first-ever CD "Tropical Swing" last March, Bill Tapia's undeniable skills and charm have garnered worldwide recognition. Featuring new recordings plus a couple tracks from his original heyday in the 1930s, "Tropical Swing" spun on hundreds of radio stations nationwide, reaching #10 on the CMJ Jazz chart. With his humor, energy, and total recall of career highlights dating back to World War I, he also became a favorite guest on talk radio from coast to coast.
Bill will be joined by Mihana, a daughter of one of Hawai'i's most legendary musical families. She was part of the traditional group Puamana for many years with her mother, the late Hawaiian Music Hall of Famer Irmgard Farden Aluli.
The year 2000 marked Led Kaapana's thirty-seventh year as a professional musician. In that time, Led's hard work and easy going attitude have earned him a reputation as one of Hawai'i's most beloved traditional musicians. A master of ki ho'alu (slack key guitar), Led is also accomplished on 'ukulele, autoharp, bass, steel guitar and other plucked string instruments. He plays the slack key guitar in at least eight tunings. He is a fine, emotional singer as well, in both baritone and leo ki'eki'e (falsetto). Perhaps most importantly, Led blends his virtuosity with an infectious joy for performing, a generous spirit and a kolohe (rascally) sense of humor. This makes him not only a pleasure to hear, but also good fun to be around.