Slack key guitar virtuoso performs Sunday
Sonoma Valley residents are in for a treat on Sunday afternoon (2/26) when Patrick Landeza, a Hawaiian slack key guitar virtuoso, introduces his latest CD, “Kama`alua,” at the Sonoma Valley Moose Lodge. He’ll be accompanied by Hawaiian musicians LT Smooth and Bill Griffin.
In addition, the Valley’s Hula Mai dance group will dance a couple of numbers to Landeza’s music (the video below shows Landeza and the Hula Mai dancers performing at Westerbeke Center last August).
“We are thrilled that this young rising star of Hawaiian music has chosen Sonoma to introduce his latest album,” said Betty Ann Bruno, founder of Hula Mai. She noted that Sunday’s event is “a real island kind of event” with a Hawaiian luau lunch.
“We hope that Sonomans take advantage of this chance to hear authentic sounds of the islands right here in the Valley,” she said.
Landeza’s new album, “Kama`alua,” departs from what has come to be expected in Hawaiian music. While indisputably Hawaiian, the album’s music is a unique integration of Hawai`i and California. The ability to meld these two influences originates from Landeza’s acceptance of his own identity as a California-born Hawaiian whose parents were born in Hawai`i. The CD’s final track, “How Would You Feel,” was composed by Landeza as a retort to those who, throughout his life, have challenged his identity as a Hawaiian.
An award-winning musician, composer and producer, Landeza is recently back from the east coast, where he performed at Cargie Hall in Listen for Life’s “Power of Eight” concert.
The Landeza CD release show is scheduled for Sunday (2/26), 1 p.m., at Sonoma Valley Moose Lodge, 20580 Broadway, Sonoma. Doors open at noon. Tickets: $20/person (kids under 12 are free), Hawaiian luau plate lunch/$10. Information: 996-3877 or patricklandeza.com.
Video: Patrick Landeza with Hula Mai
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