“The Hawaiian Grateful Dead”
— Bill Kreutzman, Drummer for the Grateful Dead and 7 Walkers
Kanekoa describes its music as ukulele powered hawai’ian reggae folk rock. Kanekoa has been playing together since 1999, melding elements of Hawaiian, Rock, Folk, Blues, Reggae and improvisation into a truly unique sound. In Hawaiian the word KANEKOA (kah-ney-koh-ah) has its roots in the words kane (man) and koa (a sacred tree indigenous to Hawai’i), and translates into English as “a strong man or warrior.” Kanekoa as a band translates into one of Hawaii’s premier live music experiences. Because their sound is based on the yet untapped potential of the electrified Hawaiian ukulele, inspired by the range of musical tastes of its players, and shaped by the land and culture of Hawai’i, Kanekoa has discovered a land of limitless musical possibility. In short, you have not heard or seen anything like this before.
“The band is amazing, and Vince is amazing”
—Mick Fleetwood
“Kanekoa takes the ukulele and uke-related music to another place”
— James “Hutch” Hutchinson, Bass Player for Bonnie Raitt’s band
Kanekoa has been playing together since 1999, melding elements of Hawaiian, Rock, Folk, Blues, Reggae and improvisation into a truly unique sound. Kanekoa appears as in a few forms: as a three piece acoustic trio with Kaulana Kanekoa (rhythm ukulele/lead vocals), Vince Esquire (lead ukulele/backing vocals), and Travis Rice (cajon/congas, backing vocals); a four piece “acoustic full band” with two acoustic ukulele’s, cajon/congas, and Don Lopez on bass; as well as a 4 piece full band, aka “The Monster” with 2 electrified ukuleles, bass, kit, and keyboards.
